I watered it once

by Elizabeth Coplan

Marjorie has no interest in healing, growing, or becoming anyone’s idea of “better.” Especially not because of a sympathy plant that came with a card suggesting she “Grow Into Your Best Self.”

Her plan is simple: water it once and let nature take its course. Preferably toward death.

But grief, like the plant, refuses to cooperate.

As her late husband Frank casually reappears to offer unwanted commentary...

Marjorie has no interest in healing, growing, or becoming anyone’s idea of “better.” Especially not because of a sympathy plant that came with a card suggesting she “Grow Into Your Best Self.”

Her plan is simple: water it once and let nature take its course. Preferably toward death.

But grief, like the plant, refuses to cooperate.

As her late husband Frank casually reappears to offer unwanted commentary, Marjorie finds herself in a losing battle against accidental care, emotional slippage, and the horrifying possibility that something might actually… grow.

Darkly funny and sharply observant, I Watered It Once is about resisting change, failing anyway, and discovering that even the smallest signs of life can feel like both betrayal and hope.

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I watered it once

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  • Steven G. Martin: I watered it once by Elizabeth Coplan
    “

    Great character work, great dramatization of a life-changing moment by Elizabeth Coplan. We don't Marjorie's life before she became a widow, we see her gruff, closed off, and terse side; Marjorie isn't wiser or kinder because of her loss. But I love that Coplan also shows the first steps of Marjorie's next change, poco y poco as her husband Frank says from beyond. Produce this short play.

    Great character work, great dramatization of a life-changing moment by Elizabeth Coplan. We don't Marjorie's life before she became a widow, we see her gruff, closed off, and terse side; Marjorie isn't wiser or kinder because of her loss. But I love that Coplan also shows the first steps of Marjorie's next change, poco y poco as her husband Frank says from beyond. Produce this short play.

    ”
  • Karen Fix Curry: I watered it once by Elizabeth Coplan
    “

    This is the condolences plant that WILL NOT DIE. This truly funny and darkly relatable script is spot on about grief, the things people give in response, and the range of emotions one goes through dealing with it all. A truly fun story to delight your audience.

    This is the condolences plant that WILL NOT DIE. This truly funny and darkly relatable script is spot on about grief, the things people give in response, and the range of emotions one goes through dealing with it all. A truly fun story to delight your audience.

    ”
Frank, the deceased husband, can be an offstage voice, pre-recorded.