Grant James Varjas

GRANT JAMES VARJAS is the playwright and composer of “33 To Nothing”, produced in 2007 at the Wild Project in NYC (GLAAD nomination), and in 2018 by Chicago’s A Red Orchid Theatre (directed by Tyrone Philips). His previous production at A Red Orchid Theatre was ‘Accidentally, Like A Martyr’, directed by Shade Murray (‘Top 10 Best Plays Of 2015’-TimeOut Chicago) . Other productions in Chicago include original works for Broken Nose Theatre (Bechdel Fest 4), Headline Theatre (Headline Fest 3), and AROT’s own Incubator Series (‘Sick By Seven’). New York City productions include ‘Accidentally, Like A Martyr’ (also Director, at Paradise Factory Theatre), and ‘Undetectable’ (Planet Connections Festival). Grant is on the board of Tom Noonan’s Paradise Factory Theatre. He has worked extensively as...

GRANT JAMES VARJAS is the playwright and composer of “33 To Nothing”, produced in 2007 at the Wild Project in NYC (GLAAD nomination), and in 2018 by Chicago’s A Red Orchid Theatre (directed by Tyrone Philips). His previous production at A Red Orchid Theatre was ‘Accidentally, Like A Martyr’, directed by Shade Murray (‘Top 10 Best Plays Of 2015’-TimeOut Chicago) . Other productions in Chicago include original works for Broken Nose Theatre (Bechdel Fest 4), Headline Theatre (Headline Fest 3), and AROT’s own Incubator Series (‘Sick By Seven’). New York City productions include ‘Accidentally, Like A Martyr’ (also Director, at Paradise Factory Theatre), and ‘Undetectable’ (Planet Connections Festival). Grant is on the board of Tom Noonan’s Paradise Factory Theatre. He has worked extensively as a writer, devisor, and actor with Moises Kaufman’s Tectonic Theatre, where he is a Teaching Artist in their Moment Work Conservatory; including acting in the HBO film adaptation of “The Laramie Project”, and the Los Angeles production of “33 Variations” with Jane Fonda. Grant has worked as an actor at the Goodman Theater; Lincoln Center, The Roundabout, and EST (all in NYC); and CTG in Los Angeles; amongst many others. The original cast recording of ‘33 To Nothing’ is available on Spotify, Apple, and Amazon Music.

Scripts

Accidentally Like A Martyr

by Grant James Varjas

Synopsis

In a dive-y gay bar on Manhattan's lower east side the regulars and the restless others do battle, joke and drink their way through a lonely winter evening. Different generations and backgrounds collide, secrets are revealed and old wounds are torn anew as these survivors come to grips with life, loss and aging in the 21st century. Family and friendship are the focus of this humor filled drama in the tradition...

In a dive-y gay bar on Manhattan's lower east side the regulars and the restless others do battle, joke and drink their way through a lonely winter evening. Different generations and backgrounds collide, secrets are revealed and old wounds are torn anew as these survivors come to grips with life, loss and aging in the 21st century. Family and friendship are the focus of this humor filled drama in the tradition of The Time of Your Life and Small Craft Warnings.

This Must Be The Place I’ve Waited Years To Leave

by Grant James Varjas

Synopsis

‘This Must Be The Place I’ve Waited Years To Leave’ by Grant James Varjas follows six adult siblings-four women and two men-as they navigate their relationships after the death of their mother. Reunited in their childhood home, the siblings are forced to confront issues both old and new as they try to find their place in the changing family dynamic. Careening between pathos and hilarity, the real-time play...

‘This Must Be The Place I’ve Waited Years To Leave’ by Grant James Varjas follows six adult siblings-four women and two men-as they navigate their relationships after the death of their mother. Reunited in their childhood home, the siblings are forced to confront issues both old and new as they try to find their place in the changing family dynamic. Careening between pathos and hilarity, the real-time play explores illness, alcoholism, addiction, and their effects on adult relationships.
The play is a highly personal one for the playwright. It is loosely based on his own life and experiences, and influenced by the theatrical family dramas of playwrights such as Eugene O’Neil and Tracy Letts. It is a ensemble piece in the truest sense of the phrase, with six smart and complicated characters.

We Had A Good Time, Didn’t We?

by Grant James Varjas

Synopsis

WE HAD A GOOD TIME, DIDN’T WE is a uniquely theatrical telling of a passionate relationship between two men in modern day New York City. Two actors are double-cast as the lovers and their respective therapists, giving new resonance to a tale of love, sex, infidelity, and emotional warfare. The play’s strength lies in its intimacy; dialogue, performance, direction and design all come together to present a unique...

WE HAD A GOOD TIME, DIDN’T WE is a uniquely theatrical telling of a passionate relationship between two men in modern day New York City. Two actors are double-cast as the lovers and their respective therapists, giving new resonance to a tale of love, sex, infidelity, and emotional warfare. The play’s strength lies in its intimacy; dialogue, performance, direction and design all come together to present a unique tale of a love on the verge of either implosion or explosion. Written by Grant James Varjas.