Many plays have been written about the recent pandemic. Jacob Juntunen adds a new wrinkle to pandemic drama by writing about the next one in See You In a Minute. The play is receiving its world premiere from Contraband Theatre.

The first scene takes place in 2041. The central character is 26-year-old Kathryn, the education director at the longest-running off-Broadway theater in New York. Her parents took care of her during the COVID-19 pandemic, and she has come back home to St. Louis to return the favor.

The script includes some nice touches that recognize the difference between 2020 and 2041. An AI named St. Louis enforces lockdown rules based on pandemic stages, and drones are available to deliver prescriptions and dinner.

Kathryn is trying to do her job remotely, but it isn’t easy. Her company is about to return to live theater with a staging of Our Town. The production and the company’s future depend on securing strong advance sales from high schools in all eight boroughs. The artistic director, Kris, lets Kathryn know the board will hold her responsible if her presentation to the schools doesn’t fill the seats.

Kathryn is having trouble with the presentation because Kris has not yet shared his production concept with her, she is distracted by her family situation, and she has little enthusiasm for the play. The conclusion brings together Kathryn’s issues with her job, her family, and Our Town.

This review does not reflect the importance of Kathryn’s parents in the play. I am limiting what I say about them to avoid affecting how the action is perceived. All viewers deserve a chance to experience a play with no more information than the playwright intends them to have at any given moment.

The well-crafted play runs for about an hour and three quarters without an intermission. The Contraband staging features an excellent cast, with Ricki Franklin as Kathryn, Joseph Garner as her father, Kelly Howe as her mother, and Joshua Mayfield as Kris. Ellie Schwetye provided the sensitive direction and sound design. The other designers were Caleb D. Long (set), Carly Uding (costumes) and Morgan Brennan (lighting).

See You In a Minute continues Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. through October 28 at The Chapel, 6238 Alexander Drive.

—Gerry Kowarsky

Photo © Phillip Hamer Photography
Joseph (Joseph Garner, left) duels playfully with his daughter, Kathryn (Ricki Franklin), in See You in a Minute.