Can Anxiety Cure Loneliness?

 

Jo Pisano is a lonely, panicky, neurotic agoraphobe with a deep distrust of people. Haunted by the loss of her son, Danny, she clings to his memory, talking to him as if he were still there—even cooking his favorite meals. Her carefully controlled world is shaken when Mel, a disheveled widower, moves in next door seeking companionship. But Jo wants none of it. She’s perfectly content in her secluded existence with her imaginary son and her strict no-going out-the-door policy.

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However, Mel’s apartment quickly becomes the epicenter of intrigue for Jo as she watches a steady stream of female seniors coming and going at all hours. Curiosity gets the best of her, and like any good nosy neighbor, Jo’s vivid imagination runs wild.

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What follows is a series of hilarious misunderstandings, mistaken identities, and comic confrontations that expose hidden secrets and prompt unexpected confessions. As walls come down and facades crumble, Jo and Mel find themselves drawn together in the most unlikely of friendships. In a heartwarming twist, they discover that, just like plants, they need love and connection to grow.

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To read the full script: 

​https://newplayexchange.org/script/2033413/maladies