The Happy Journey

by Thornton Wilder

3M 3F

The Stage Manager
Ma Kirby
Arthur (age 13)
Caroline (age 15)
Pa (Elmer) Kirby
Beulah (age 22)

This play is set on a blank stage. The show opens to Ma, Caroline, and Arthur onstage, putting on a hat, talking to (imaginary) friends and playing (imaginary) marbles, respectively. The stage manager is stage left, smoking. Ma is trying to get her children ready for a journey they're all about to take (from Newark to Camden, as is revealed in the lines) and anxiously awaiting Elmer's return so they can leave together. She takes a break to talk to the neighbors, who the stage manager reads lines for, about their upcoming journey to visit her married daughter, who's been sick. Elmer returns, and the family is off in their set-piece car that the stage manager places. The family leaves town while sending their good-byes to neighbors, who send their good-byes right back as read by the stage manager. There is very much an eerie 1930's "perfect family" vibe to the whole thing. The family discusses family matters and passing billboards as they drive. Arthur says something insulting about God to Ma. They stop at a "gas station" and the stage manager jumps in fully as the garage hand. They're off again and Arthur begs a for forgiveness, which she gives him. The family eats hot dogs for dinner, sings, and wishes upon the appearing stars. They soon arrive at Beulah's house, and everyone greets her and she greets everyone as the stage manager takes the car offstage. Pa and Arthur leave to go to the "Y.M.C.A." where they're staying, and Caroline goes inside to meet Beulah's new puppies.  Ma and Beulah talk, and it is revealed to the audience that Beulah recently had a daughter that was essentially stillborn. They talk a bit more, and the curtain falls.