The January People’s Choice Award goes to…

The people have spoken… The December People’s Choice Award goes to Gaurav Mishra (Enyn) for their play Bushwick Mary, presented as a staged reading at The Producers Club and via livestream on January 26, 2026. Congratulations, Gaurav!

Courtesy of Gaurav, we’re pleased to share the first few pages from the award-winning script. Enjoy!

Bushwick Mary
by Gaurav Mishra (Enyn)

CHARACTERS:

BUSHWICK MARY (she/her, older, Caribbean/Guyanese but can pass as of South Asian descent) – Seems to have grown out of the city itself. Is exactly who she wants to be. Has an accent and also (probably) all the knowledge of the cosmos. Might be drunk or high.

CHAKORI (she/her, twenties, South Asian American) – A romantic at heart – sees grand narratives everywhere. Has a poet’s sense of longing and an optimist’s sense of disappointment. Every sentiment she has is genuine. Moved to the city with Eden a year ago.

EDEN (genderblind, twenties, white American) – Chakori’s best friend and roommate. Unflinchingly game and sometimes just unflinching, but has a heart of gold. Knows Chakori better than Chakori knows herself, loves her unconditionally for it. Was always meant for the city.

_____________________________

CURTAIN UP

BUSHWICK MARY is sitting on a chair on her stoop, smoking a cigarette. She looks as if she has never belonged anywhere more than where she currently is– no, the stoop looks like it belongs to her. Which, I suppose, it does. CHAKORI passes, in a hurry – en route to the subway. Looking up, she sees MARY. Instant familiarity: CHAKORI nods at MARY, MARY nods back. CHAKORI continues of stage.

MARY adjusts her position (the passage of time.) CHAKORI re-enters, moving in the opposite direction – coming from the subway this time. Again, a look, a nod. Once more, MARY adjusts her position – she’s standing now, perhaps wandering over to the bodega on the corner. A third time, CHAKORI enters – in this instance she is less hurried. She nods at MARY as per usual, but then hesitates and slows down.

CHAKORI
What’s your name?

MARY
(smiling, enjoying the contact)
Mary.

CHAKORI
Mary.

MARY
What’s your name?

CHAKORI
I’m Chakori.

MARY
Chakori?

CHAKORI
Yeah.
(CHAKORI sticks out her hand.)
Nice to meet you, Mary.

They shake.

MARY
Nice to meet you, Chakori.

Smiling to herself, CHAKORI continues on her way, of stage. MARY, somewhat amused, continues over to the conveniently-of stage bodega. Once both are of stage, CHAKORI reenters, singing to herself in glorious triumph, to a tune that only she knows:

CHAKORI
(sung)
Maaaarrrrryyyyy! Her name is Maaarrrryyyy! To be KNOWN, to be cast as Marrryyyyy!

EDEN
(entering)
Replacing me?

CHAKORI
(still singing)
I’ve just learnt her name and it’s–

EDEN
You know, you could’ve just done West Side Story.

CHAKORI
(to the tune of ‘Maria’ from West Side Story)
Maria…

EDEN
Okay. Who is this?

CHAKORI
The woman!

EDEN
Your new lover?

CHAKORI
No!

EDEN
Your new favorite saint?

CHAKORI
No!

EDEN
I’m not gonna keep guessing.

CHAKORI
The woman I always pass on the way to the subway! The wonderful, the inimitable MARYYYYYY!

EDEN
(facetiously)
Ahh, yes, of course.

TO BE CONTINUED…

Join us for the next Monday Night PlayGround-NY, live at The Producers Club and simulcast! For more info, click here!