JOEY’S LAST MEAL
by Henry Meyerson
Joey may be scheduled to die tomorrow, but that doesn’t mean he has to reverse a life of rebellion by adhering to the traditional “last meal.” Besides, he’s just not hungry. Joey’s refusal to “go along” has clogged the smooth running wheels of justice and has angered a lot of folks. Al, his cellmate on death row, is angry with him for not at least taking the meal, a nice thick steak, and passing it to him; Harry, the guard, is angry with him for disrupting his schedule; Sarge, who is in command of the death row cellblock, is angry because not being able to control his prisoners could prevent him from getting a promotion; Warden, who runs the prison, is angry because he doesn’t want to acknowledge to the Governor he can’t control his prisoners; Betty, Joey’s wife, is angry with him because his being in jail prevented them from fulfilling her dream of a family; Mother, Joey’s Mom, is angry because not eating could affect Joey’s health. Chaplain is the only character not angry with Joey because, belonging to the Church of Sacred Men, he just loves his work environment.
- Cast Size: 6M 2W
- Running Time: 90+ minutes
- Royalty Rate: $75 per performance
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About the Playwright
HENRY MEYERSON
GRANTS:
THE ACTIVIST, New Jersey Council on the Arts, Fellowship Grant for 2015.
JUMP JIM CROW, New Jersey Council on the Arts, Fellowship Grant for 2021.
PUBLICATIONS by SAMUEL FRENCH:
BEWARE THE MAN EATING CHICKEN (full-length)
FRESH BREWED: TALES FROM THE COFFEE BAR (collection of one-act plays)
PROCEED TO CHECK-OUT (collection of one-act plays) SHTICK (full-length)
THE SECRET LIFE OF SEAGULLS (full-length)
PUBLISHED ON LINE by COMEDYPLAYS.CO.UK:
AND NOW, DIRECT FROM THE CONDO ACROSS THE STREET…(full length)
JOEY’S LAST MEAL (full length)
PUBLISHED by SMITH & KRAUS
TECH SUPPORT (one act)
THE SECRET LIFE OF SEAGULLS (monologues)
ME AND SHIRLEY (monologue)
PUBLISHED BY NEXT STAGE PRESS:
JOEY’S LAST MEAL
Ph.D in Psychology from the University of Houston
MFA in Playwrighting from Brooklyn College.
On the verge of execution, Joey orders a last meal, but then changes his mind and refuses to eat it. This unprecedented violation of the rules of the process completely discombobulates the prison hierarchy and, when Joey’s significant other and his mother show up revealing tangled hidden relationships among all concerned, the hilarity grows inexorably to an ending of exquisite farce. “Joey’s Last Meal” is a veritable feast of laughter.
Review Joey’s Last Meal.