is a bittersweet comedy that follows Jordan Berman , a single young man in New York City. As his three best friends—Kiki, Vanessa, and Laura—all find their "Mr. Rights" and get married, Jordan struggles with intense loneliness and the fear of being left behind. Key Documents & Links Full Script PDFs : Significant Other by Joshua Harmon (Scribd) . Significant Other Production PDF (Course Hero) . Production & Study Guides :
The document went on. Forty-seven plays. Some were big (Play 22: "The Surprise That Isn't a Holiday"—a day trip to the bonsai garden she’d mentioned once, two years ago). Most were small, almost invisible acts of attention.
You might wonder: Why a PDF? Why not an app or a website? The answer lies in intentionality.
At its core, Significant Other is a searing examination of what happens when the central relationships of your life—the friendships that once felt permanent—begin to shift. Harmon has said that the play grew from a simple premise: “How do you make life work for yourself when you feel that you’re not living the life you’re supposed to be living or want to be living?” For Jordan, the answer is not simple. He is surrounded by people yet feels increasingly invisible.
Setting: 11:30 PM. She’s half-asleep.
Joshua Harmon’s critically acclaimed play Significant Other is a deeply moving, razor-sharp comedy about the agonizing trials of modern romance, friendship, and the fear of being left behind. Since its Off-Broadway debut in 2015 and subsequent Broadway run in 2017, the script has become a staple for university theater departments, community theaters, and drama students worldwide.
The story centers on , a single, gay, neurotic, and deeply romantic man in his late twenties living in New York City. Jordan is inseparable from his three best girlfriends: Kiki, Vanessa, and Laura.
Historical context on "Urban Tribes" and relationship dynamics in New York City. Performance Excerpts
At its heart, Significant Other is the story of Jordan Berman, a perpetually single, romantically challenged, twenty-something gay man living in New York City. As his three closest female friends from college—Kiki, Vanessa, and Laura—each fall in love and get married, Jordan is forced to confront the terrifying possibility of being left behind. Over the course of three years and three weddings, the play captures Jordan's hilarious and harrowing journey through bachelorette parties, crushing loneliness, and the desperate search for a connection of his own. significant other play pdf
Significant Other is a bittersweet, contemporary comedy-drama that premiered Off-Broadway in 2015 before transferring to Broadway in 2017. Written by Joshua Harmon (author of Bad Jews ), the play acts as a modern answer to the classic "wedding play" genre. While most plays focus on the bride and groom, Significant Other turns the lens onto the single friend left behind, exploring the quiet devastation and profound loneliness that can accompany the joy of watching your best friends grow up and move on.
The play is steeped in the anxieties of twenty-first-century singledom. Jordan trolls through social media, where a potential match messages him that his face “was meant to be ejaculated on”. He navigates hookup culture, ambiguous dates, and the emotional whiplash of online communication. Harmon holds a mirror to the life of a young gay man in New York City, “with all its foibles, absurdities and confusion”. One critic aptly described the play as “looking at an uncertain future through the eyes of those who are going to live in it”.
Jordan's journey embodies the fear of stagnation. While his peers hit traditional adult milestones (marriage, moving to the suburbs), Jordan remains single, feeling stuck in place while the world moves on without him.
Set against the backdrop of New York City, the play highlights the paradox of being profoundly lonely in a crowded room. Jordan’s anxiety is amplified by dating apps, unrequited crushes (particularly on his coworker, Will), and the societal pressure to achieve traditional relationship milestones. 3. Generational Perspectives on Loneliness is a bittersweet comedy that follows Jordan Berman
If you are a student or faculty member, you can often access the full script for free legally through your university library network. Look for databases such as or ProQuest , which frequently house digital scripts of contemporary American plays. Audition Sides
Incorporating "play" into adult relationships is more than just having fun; it is a vital tool for deepening emotional bonds and sustaining long-term satisfaction. Research indicates that playing together enhances communication conflict resolution
: Engaging in recreational games or physical play helps lower stress and improves mood for both partners. Activities to Foster Playfulness