JOY

by Lex Thammavong

It’s Joy’s 27th birthday, and she swears that today is the day. Today, she’s hiking to her dead dad’s favorite spot in the Pennsylvanian woods. Today, she’s finally gonna do it: she’s going to kill herself. She can’t possibly back out this time– I mean, she’s got her coolest outfit on, the perfect playlist, a killer note– all is going as planned. Until Jonah, a shoeless hippie with a sunny disposition, poor...

It’s Joy’s 27th birthday, and she swears that today is the day. Today, she’s hiking to her dead dad’s favorite spot in the Pennsylvanian woods. Today, she’s finally gonna do it: she’s going to kill herself. She can’t possibly back out this time– I mean, she’s got her coolest outfit on, the perfect playlist, a killer note– all is going as planned. Until Jonah, a shoeless hippie with a sunny disposition, poor survival skills, and a magical, whale-themed wagon stumbles on her path and ruins her plans. Can they help each other out of the woods, or will they both be lost forever?

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JOY

Recommended by

  • Shaun Leisher: JOY by Lex Thammavong
    “

    Suicide is explored here so unlike most plays I've read on the topic. Joy doesn't want to die but she is so very tired of living. That perspective is such a fresh one and is looked at with so much empathy and without giving easy answers. By introducing Jonah, the play leans towards the buddy comedy genre and even starts to feel like a fucked up Its A Wonderful Life. This play will in some ways give hope to the despairing and also show how death isn't something to be feared but just another adventure when it is time.

    Suicide is explored here so unlike most plays I've read on the topic. Joy doesn't want to die but she is so very tired of living. That perspective is such a fresh one and is looked at with so much empathy and without giving easy answers. By introducing Jonah, the play leans towards the buddy comedy genre and even starts to feel like a fucked up Its A Wonderful Life. This play will in some ways give hope to the despairing and also show how death isn't something to be feared but just another adventure when it is time.

    ”
The actor who plays Jonah should also play Joy's dad.

Development History

  • Reading, Philadelphia Asian Performing Artists, 2024