Overview
Synopsis
Cost of Living is an original, Pulitzer Prize-winning play that follows two pairs of mismatched individuals as they navigate privilege, disability, expectations, and fundamental human connections. Eddie, an unemployed trucker relives his final days with his ex-wife, Ani, who was tragically paralyzed following a horrific car accident. Following their separation, their relationship took a new turn when Ani reluctantly allowed Eddie to provide the caregiving she so desperately needs and can ill-afford. Meanwhile, overworked graduate Jess takes on yet another job to make ends meet. After a spiky start, she becomes a personal caregiver for John, a privileged graduate student who has cerebral palsy. The experiences of these two different couples converge in the meeting of two strangers (Eddie and Jess) in a small, empty apartment in Bayonne, NJ.
Show Information
- Book
- Martyna Majok
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Mature Audiences (M)
- Number of Acts
- 1
- First Produced
- 2016
- Genres
- Drama, Dark Comedy
- Settings
- Contemporary, Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- New Jersey, Near Present
- Cast Size
- small
- Licensor
- Dramatists Play Service
- Ideal For
- College/University, Diverse Cast, Regional Theatre, Small Cast, Includes Adult, Young Adult Characters
Context
The idea for Cost of Living came from Martyna Majok’s two-character, one-act play John, Who’s Here From Cambridge, which ran Off-Broadway from May 28 – June 20, 2015. Majok added two additional characters and Cost of Living had its world premiere at the Williamstown Theatre Festival in July 2016. It transferred Off-Broadway to New York City Center for a production by Manhattan Theatre Club in summer 2017. The Off-Broadway production won two Lucille Lortel Awards, including Outstanding
to read the context for Cost of Living and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
As the play opens, former truck driver Eddie is in a bar talking to an unseen companion. He provides the backstory of the reason he came to the bar and explains that he is now unemployed after being arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. He is serving a community service and drinks only soda, while freely buying his companion drink after drink. Eddie explains that his ex-wife, Ani, recently died, but he has been getting mysterious text messages from her phone. The latest one
to read the plot for Cost of Living and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
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|
Lead |
Female |
Non-singer |
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|
Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
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|
Lead |
Female |
Non-singer |
Songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
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Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Alexandra Appleton
Writer, editor and theatre researcher