Setting: 11:30 PM. She’s half-asleep.
, a single gay professional in New York City. As Jordan nears his 30s, he watches his tight-knit circle of female friends—Kiki, Vanessa, and Laura—gradually drift away as they find their own "significant others" and get married. The play explores themes of urban loneliness, the evolution of friendship into adulthood, and the crushing feeling of being left behind while supporting those you love. Key Resources (PDFs and Scripts)
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is Jordan’s elderly grandmother, a widow who speaks with blunt philosophical clarity about aging and death. Barbara Barrie originated the role at age 84, in her return to the stage, delivering an “understated performance to be cherished”. Setting: 11:30 PM
The play’s emotional climax arrives at Laura’s bachelorette party. Laura, Jordan’s closest friend and “soulmate” in the platonic sense, is the last to marry. Overcome with grief, jealousy, and terror at being left behind, Jordan finally explodes in a bitter outburst at Laura, lashing out at the one person who has always stood by him. They reconcile at her wedding, but the moment carries an unmistakable finality. In the play’s closing image, Jordan stands alone as his friends—now with husbands in tow—move offstage, leaving him to accept his status as “the single one”. Unlike most romantic comedies, Significant Other denies its protagonist a happy ending. Jordan does not meet anyone. He remains single. And the play asks us to sit with that uncomfortable, honest truth.
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If you are a student or actor, purchasing the physical copy is always recommended, as it supports the playwright and ensures you are reading the final, authorized version of the script. As Jordan nears his 30s, he watches his
The parallel between Jordan and his grandmother offers one of the play’s most poignant insights. Both are alone. Both fear what comes next. And neither is entirely sure how to ask for the help they need. In one scene, Helene casually discusses ending her life, then shrugs it off: “I would never do anything. I just like knowing my options.” Jordan is horrified, but the moment subtly underscores that loneliness has no age limit.
Joshua Harmon’s critically acclaimed play Significant Other is a defining theatrical work of the 2010s, capturing the bittersweet reality of modern friendship, romance, and the ache of being left behind. Since its Off-Broadway debut in 2015 and subsequent Broadway run in 2017, the script has become a staple for theater companies, students, and drama enthusiasts worldwide.