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Happy Talk
Lorraine is a saint of the suburbs. On top of trying to save her dying mother, miserable husband and estranged daughter, she’s starring as Bloody Mary in the Jewish Community Center production of South Pacific . When her mother’s home aide, Serbian immigrant Ljuba, asks for help finding a husband, Lorraine takes on her most challenging role to matchmaker. In Jesse Eisenberg’s hysterical and devastating play, Happy Talk , he reveals the absurd lengths people go to save themselves in the name of saving others.
96 pages, Paperback
Published December 17, 2019
2 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
Jesse Eisenberg
16 books295 followersJesse Adam Eisenberg is an American actor, playwright, author, and humorist. He has played featured or starring roles in films such as The Squid and the Whale (2005), Adventureland (2009), Zombieland (2009), and The Social Network (2010).
Eisenberg was born in New York City and was raised in East Brunswick Township, New Jersey. After graduating from high school, he studied anthropology at The New School in Greenwich Village, New York City. He majored in liberal arts, with a concentration in Democracy and Cultural Pluralism.
Eisenberg was born in New York City and was raised in East Brunswick Township, New Jersey. After graduating from high school, he studied anthropology at The New School in Greenwich Village, New York City. He majored in liberal arts, with a concentration in Democracy and Cultural Pluralism.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
July 27, 2022
Freaking Jesse Eisenberg! I'm trying not to become a fan but Happy Talk has made me a believer. I have an unshakable belief that a writer has to create captivating characters and this play is all about that!
August 28, 2025
“This is why I love talking to you. Anything sad in my life is automatically sadder in yours.”
Oh, Jesse Eisenberg. This is wonderful! I’d love to watch this performed — can only imagine the force Susan Sarandon had. And how much Marin Ireland would’ve devastated me as Ljuba.
This play is so fucking funny. Hilarious. I’d be chuckling to myself on the train, laughing out loud at the wit. After watching A Real Pain, Eisenberg definitely has a style. Anxious, New Jersey Jew, sure — but the neuroses of this demo is similar to the Filipino Catholic, I always say.
But the final beat of this play, oh lord. My heart. It’s just sad and tragic for all. Certainly the second-half of the play, when new layers are introduced. Jenny coming in literally in the midnight hour for a pivotal moment, and Ljuba telling her to “respect her mother.” Ugh. Gorgeous monologues throughout; some truly great ones for Lorraine.
“Their laughter becomes sympathy.
The court jester becomes the queen.
That’s what the theater can do—"
But man. That ending! I didn’t think it’d go there and then it just ENDS. Awful. I mean, it’s wonderful, but so awful it had to be that way. A purgatory for all. Who’s happy in the end? Unfair. But totally justified for all. That’s a wondrous ending. This review is so meaningless without any context but it’s late and I just want to indicate how much I loved this. Also don't want to spoil in case anyone stumbles on this review and then feels like they don't want to read it now.
Ronny as the Asian-American gay man helping the foreign woman get married thread was doubly funny to read as I imagined myself playing that role.
“What’s great about having Ronny in the cast is that he’s able to give us insight into the exotic Asian experience.”
“Actually, I was born and raised Cleveland.”
“God! Aren’t you just the cutest! It’s a good thing he’s gay and I’m on a diet because we would just eat you up!”
“You look like such a sweet couple. It doesn’t even look weird that he’s Asian!”
Oh, Jesse Eisenberg. This is wonderful! I’d love to watch this performed — can only imagine the force Susan Sarandon had. And how much Marin Ireland would’ve devastated me as Ljuba.
This play is so fucking funny. Hilarious. I’d be chuckling to myself on the train, laughing out loud at the wit. After watching A Real Pain, Eisenberg definitely has a style. Anxious, New Jersey Jew, sure — but the neuroses of this demo is similar to the Filipino Catholic, I always say.
But the final beat of this play, oh lord. My heart. It’s just sad and tragic for all. Certainly the second-half of the play, when new layers are introduced. Jenny coming in literally in the midnight hour for a pivotal moment, and Ljuba telling her to “respect her mother.” Ugh. Gorgeous monologues throughout; some truly great ones for Lorraine.
“Their laughter becomes sympathy.
The court jester becomes the queen.
That’s what the theater can do—"
But man. That ending! I didn’t think it’d go there and then it just ENDS. Awful. I mean, it’s wonderful, but so awful it had to be that way. A purgatory for all. Who’s happy in the end? Unfair. But totally justified for all. That’s a wondrous ending. This review is so meaningless without any context but it’s late and I just want to indicate how much I loved this. Also don't want to spoil in case anyone stumbles on this review and then feels like they don't want to read it now.
Ronny as the Asian-American gay man helping the foreign woman get married thread was doubly funny to read as I imagined myself playing that role.
“What’s great about having Ronny in the cast is that he’s able to give us insight into the exotic Asian experience.”
“Actually, I was born and raised Cleveland.”
“God! Aren’t you just the cutest! It’s a good thing he’s gay and I’m on a diet because we would just eat you up!”
“You look like such a sweet couple. It doesn’t even look weird that he’s Asian!”
November 24, 2024
A devastating portrait of what happens when the fear of loneliness gulps you down. We all risk committing these hurts.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews