Synopsis

New York City, primarily the East Village

Stephen, a struggling writer, finds his life upended when his ex-lover Mark returns from rehab, newly religious and seemingly changed. As Stephen grapples with his lingering feelings and Mark’s erratic behavior, their roommate Petra navigates her own complex relationship with her identity as a stripper and aspiring writer. Meanwhile, Tan, a street-wise youth, becomes entangled in Mark’s attempts at redemption, blurring the lines between compassion and desire. As New Year’s Eve approaches, each character must confront their deepest fears and longings, questioning what it means to connect in a world that often feels isolating and cruel.

Christopher Shinn’s play is a raw, unflinching exploration of urban alienation and the human need for intimacy in all its messy forms. Through a series of interconnected vignettes, Shinn weaves a tapestry of modern relationships, exposing the contradictions between our outward personas and inner desires. The play’s non-linear structure and overlapping dialogues create a sense of fragmentation that mirrors the characters’ emotional states, while its frank depictions of sexuality and substance use challenge audiences to confront their own judgments and vulnerabilities.