boom

by Peter Sinn Nachtrieb

"Sex to Change the Course of the World"-A grad student's online personal ad lures a mysterious journalism student to his subterranean research lab under the pretense of an evening of "no strings attached" sex. But when a major global catastrophic event strikes the planet, their date takes on evolutionary significance and the fate of humanity hangs in the balance. Will they survive? What about the fish in the tank? And who is that woman pulling levers and playing the timpani? An epic and intimate comedy that spans over billions of years, boom explores the influences of fate versus randomness in the course of one's life, and life as we know it on the planet.

Genres: Plays, Theatre, Science Fiction

55 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Peter Sinn Nachtrieb is a San Francisco-based playwright whose works include boom, Hunter Gatherers, Colorado, Meaningless, and The Amorphous Blob.

Reviews

[em · Rating 5 out of 5]

"fucking crazy gay virgin motherfucker" sums it up.

a weird, funky, but strangely prophetic play about the resilience of the human race. we spend the night/next few months with jo and jules as they are thrown together (mostly randomly) into the final night on earth before a comet wipes out most living species on earth.

in many aspects, the production, set-up, and premise was reminiscent of 'our town' which was an instant plus for me (with even a quote from that play as this play's epigraph!). any play that breaks the fourth-wall-- pleaseee sign me up. i love being a part of the audience and feeling like an active participant in the world onstage. barbara was a large contributing factor as to why this play worked so well, since she was our connection between this world and their story.

i now desperately need to see this performed somewhere or at least watch a recording of it on stage. i can only imagine how much more i'd love the story seeing the characters interact, as it is such a physical show. so much, and i mean so much charm!!! absolutely loved.

[Rachael Hobson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trigger warning: homophobic slur

Humorous at times, dark, and very bizarre.

[Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun apocalyptic play that I am auditioning for next week. Wish me a broken leg!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw this performed last night in London as part of its UK premiere, and I can honestly say that whilst it was undeniably bizarre, it hooked me from the very start. I do think that some of Barbara's soliloquys are a fraction too long, especially towards the end, but in general it's an absolutely gripping post-apocalyptic comedic narrative. As with all plays, this is supposed to be primarily viewed and not read, so I hope that if and when others do get to experience 'Boom', they are treated to a version with as excellent a cast as I viewed it with last night. Three extremely strong characters need to be brought to life by experienced, well-cast actors trained in the delivery of humour.

[Lauri]

I didn’t actually read this one. I read ‘The Making of a Great Moment’ by the same author, published in 2024, but it’s not available here in the Goodreads app. But I’m tracking my books read with a yearly goal and if I don’t record a book I read, my count will be off. The play I did read was adorable and thought-provoking. I’d totally see it performed on a stage. Or in a prison waiting room. Or in a trench on the side of the road.

[Ally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. I never finish this before you know when I was auditioning for the play and then didn't get it I never felt it was necessary and out of bitterness I never saw the play. Now of course I really wish I had seen it because well I really liked it it was funny and it was weird and I can pretty much see myself playing Barbara so well. I really really love this.

[Taylor Hudson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Smart, dark, and funny - another winner by Peter Nachtrieb.

[Davin Broadhurst · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really funny and really interesting story. Would’ve been cool to see it in person.

[Armen · Rating 3 out of 5]

a lil silly goofy read that has some good bits.

[Fable · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jules "fish want me, women fear me"

[Teddy Kister · Rating 4 out of 5]

the fish fucked!!!!!

[Chuck O'Connor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this play. It is a very funny and moving argument for the naturalistic worldview. The subversive endorsement it makes for the theory of evolution through natural selection is powerful due to its lack of pretension or preachiness. The characters are a bit "on the nose" but the story's convention allows that to be useful in proving its premise. This is great reading for those who see wonder and beauty in the natural progress of life and need nothing other than our known universe to inspire their awe. Dramatic poetry derived from naturalistic science is a delight to read.

[JackWilliamRtF · Rating 4 out of 5]

truly this is a play to be seen over read. jules and jo on their feet are electric; on the page they can be somewhat grossly unlikeable. having the radiation of charisma off the stage means jo's remarks are like a fun sassy kinda mean friend as opposed to a uhhhh just mean friend lol. i reread this seeing if it would work for a play reading in my apartment with non-actors in the main roles and i still dont know if it would be. i'll make them have a rehearsal and then i think we'll know for sure.

[Cecilia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, this was odd and a little depressing, but really interesting and had all sorts of ideas worth exploring about biological prerogative, passion, survival, history, story telling, choice. And really, how often do you come across post-apocalyptic plays?

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really funny, fresh, and poignant play by a young San Francisco playwright.

[Joey Hines · Rating 4 out of 5]

This play chronicles the ever-evolving, absurdly beautiful history of humanity! Hilarious and moving. The playwright is also a biologist and has a unique perspective.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

How much fun is this play! It is slim but absolutely delightful--and clever and dark and hopeful. The technical demands would be a challenge, but I'm keeping my eye on this one.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the way the world ends, not with a bang but with fish