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The inspiration for writing Life Alert came from watching my friends and family go through taking care of their elderly parents while trying to go on with their careers or launch new ones after retirement. I saw the struggles and the guilt. I saw the humor in the everyday dialogue. Much dialogue in the play has been heard by my very own ears.
The main character, Annie, is a writer herself. How much of her journey reflects your own experiences?
Annie’s writing journey resonates with my own, as I often grapple with family commitments disrupting my creative flow. Just when I’m in the zone, I have to pause to make dinner or attend to an “urgent conversation”, pulling me away from my work.
The title Life Alert has multiple meanings—can you talk about how you landed on that name?
The title, Life Alert has a literal and figurative meaning. Annie’s mother, Rose, is at the age where a Life Alert necklace is necessary jewelry. But figuratively, as Annie says, when do the roles change? I was the daughter, now I’m the mother. I wish someone would have warned me this would happen. An alarm should sound! Red Alert! Tomorrow, you will no longer rely on your mother! She will be relying on you! Life Alert is a wake-up call.
The play balances humor and serious themes. How do you approach weaving comedy into a dramatic story?
To weave together humor with serious themes, I start by grounding myself in the weight of the subject. Then, I step back and look for the absurdities that naturally emerge from how we, as humans, process, behave, and talk about these heavy topics. Life’s problems are rife with unintentional comedy. If we were to audiotape a serious discussion, we would realize how ridiculous some of the things we say are. For instance, at a funeral, we look in the casket and say, “She looks good”!
Could you speak about the significance of setting this story in one place-Annie and Ben’s home?
The play takes place in the home of Annie and Ben Sussman, a setting that symbolizes their once-peaceful existence. They are finally free of responsibility, empty-nesters, and the apartment is finally all theirs. However, that tranquility is now disrupted by the arrival of Annie’s mother, whose presence rocks the boat. Their cozy apartment, once a safe haven, is now like a luxurious cruise ship that has suddenly sprung a big, fat hole.
What was the biggest challenge in writing Life Alert? Did anything in the process surprise you?
The biggest challenge in writing Life Alert was trying to not make Annie or her mother, Rose seem unfeeling and selfish. They both love each other dearly, but Annie is frightened of missing her last chance of writing success and Rose is frightened of losing the love and support of her family and the changes that come with aging. I wanted that to be clear because I think these are the emotions that are the reality for most families. I also wanted to be sure that the outcome was ultimately Annie’s decision, as this is her story.
What do you hope audiences take away from the play?
I hope the takeaway message of Life Alert is that we all go through something like this if we are lucky enough to have our parents around well into our adult lives. How do we take care of Mom or Dad while still trying to get through the rest of our own aging lives? I want the audience to realize what they may be going through is common and I would like them to be able to laugh at themselves. During an early production, a woman in theaudience, whom I noticed laughing loudly throughout, came up to me and said, “Your play made me realize what I am doing to my daughter and I am now going to consider going into an independent living situation nearby. I don’t want her to be burdened. I don’t want her to have to choose.” This meant the world to me. I felt I accomplished my goal and my intended message.
Which character's voice came to you first when developing this story?
The voice of Annie came to me first as I developed Life Alert because her predicament resonated with me. My mother is aging, just as I am newly retired and want to work on my writing with wild abandon! I feel the frustration and the guilt.
If you could see Life Alert performed by any dream cast, who would be in it?
The dream cast for Life Alert would be:
Annie: Bette Midler
Ben: Stanley Tucci
Joey: Bobby Cannavale
Karen: Amy Poehler
Rose: Estelle Getty if she were still alive!
What's your favorite scene in the play that still surprises you when you hear it read?
My favorite scene from Life Alert is when they are having dinner and they start to argue. Annie is frustrated because she is doing everything for her mother and her brother is doing nothing. They all start yelling at each other. The dialogue is very realistic, as well as the actions such as setting the table, passing the bread, etc. I think everyone will be able to relate to this.
Do you have a favorite memory that comes to mind from when you first saw the play performed/rehearsed?
The first time I saw Life Alert performed as a reading, I was a bundle of nerves—there were people in the audience whose approval I wanted so badly. I can still picture the rehearsal room, the sandwiches I ordered, and most vividly, the incredible surprise of seeing the actors breathe life into the roles. They brought out humor I hadn’t even realized was there, making it even funnier than I’d imagined. And best of all? It went really well—I’ll never forget that feeling!
Do you have a favorite memory that comes to mind from when you first saw the play performed/rehearsed?
When you are fortunate enough to see and hear the actors who inspired you to write a play embody the characters and bring them from page to stage, it can be a little surreal. And the first time Lynn and Ron read the play out loud was absolutely thrilling!
What advice would you give to someone—like Annie—who is starting a playwriting career later in life?
For someone like Annie, diving into playwriting later in life is an exciting journey! I’d highly recommend joining writing groups and playwriting organizations—these communities are full of inspiration and opportunities. This is essential when you are starting out. Also, get to know people in the industry and let them get to know you! Stay curious, follow up on every lead, and embrace every connection. One introduction leads to another, and before you know it, you'll find yourself not just at the table, but contributing to the conversation in a meaningful way!
What is your favorite play or playwright from which you take a lot of inspiration?
Neil Simon gives me my greatest inspiration. I love his comic timing and his real-life, relatable situations. His Jewish, ethnic response to life is much like my Italian one! Same for Woody Allen. It’s the New York angst–the subtle feeling you are trapped by the city and yet embraced by it at the same time.
Which character would you most want to have coffee with at that NYC coffee shop from the play?
I would love to have coffee with Annie. I would be able to commiserate with her and her predicament around her mother. I would tell her she is doing her best and she doesn’t need to feel guilty about anything. We are all doing our best and that is all we can do. She would be a good friend of mine because we have A LOT in common!
If Life Alert had a theme song, what would it be?
The Life Alert theme song would be: Don’t Stop Me Now by Queen. Upbeat song about breaking free and making a new start without encumbrances. It would be great to have this song playing as the audience files out of the theatre.
The play is set in New York City. What’s your favorite hidden gem in NYC?
My favorite hidden gem in New York City is Bus Stop Diner on Hudson Street in the West Village. It’s a great breakfast-lunch spot by day and an intimate, quiet restaurant at night. Great food. Shhh! Don’t tell anyone!
If Annie or Ben had a TikTok account, what would they post about?
Annie would post pictures of her son and any news about her play and her son. Ben would post about his chess championships.
What excites you most about seeing different theaters interpret this piece across the world?
It excites me to think of Life Alert being performed outside of New York City. I look forward to seeing the different ways it is directed and performed. Although this play takes place in New York, these issues are happening all over the world every day. Very relatable no matter where you are performing it.
What aspect of the play tends to resonate most strongly with audiences during readings?
It excites me to think of Life Alert being performed outside of New York City. I look forward to seeing the different ways it is directed and performed. Although this play takes place in New York, these issues are happening all over the world every day. Very relatable no matter where you are performing it.
Describe Life Alert in three words.
Life Alert in three words: Seriously funny play.
The play is described as a "dramedy" - how important is it for productions to find the balance between the humor and heavier moments?
Life Alert tackles a serious and heartfelt topic—aging and caregiving. It’s essential to capture the struggles of the aging mother, her fears, and her worries, as well as Annie’s feelings of inadequacy and guilt. But that doesn’t mean we can’t have some fun along the way! A little humor goes a long way in making these challenges feel relatable. After all, if we’re lucky enough to have aging parents, we’ll all experience these moments—so why not find the laughter in them?
Life Alert is for everyone navigating the journey of aging—whether you're caring for aging parents or preparing for the future. It offers a heartfelt glimpse into the unspoken emotions between parents and their adult children, bridging the gap with humor and honesty. It’s for anyone who likes to laugh at the human condition.
Chris
