“Sly, weird and thoroughly winning … Its forthright acknowledgement that life can be a rough business is bracing, funny and, yes, consoling.”— New York Times

We’re Gonna Die, written by Young Jean Lee, is a non-musical/non-play/non-concert that is not about dying. It’s a celebration of the things we do, say, and sing to keep ourselves going as we hurtle toward the finish line. Through a series of stories and songs both hilarious and heartbreaking, We’re Gonna Die offers proof positive that being alive is about more than just awaiting the inevitable. 

This is the second Ohio production of We’re Gonna Die, the first was at the Wexner Center in Columbus in October of 2013 by Young Jean Lee and her band Future Wife. 

In August 2015, a production was part of David Byrne’s Meltdown takeover series at Southbank Centre in London. It featured David Byrne as the lead singer while Lee performed the monologues, with Future Wife performing. 

In this production, produced in partnership with Mad River Theater Works, regional talent will take the stage; the music will be performed by NOVENA with Emma Woodruff as lead singer, the monologues will be done by several actors, and the show directed by Justin Simons. 

It’s time to get real and rock out about the one thing we all have in common: WE’RE GONNA DIE. Playwright Young Jean Lee blends storytelling, stand-up, music, and theater into a funny, sweet, and darkly weird song cycle that lets us know we may be miserable, but at least we won’t be alone. Boldly exploring the less awesome moments of life with outrageous humor and powerful insight, this Obie-award winning cabaret-style event moves audiences to a charged collective catharsis. Come experience the smartest and most life-affirming way to contemplate the inevitable!

Young Jean Lee has been called ‘the most adventurous downtown playwright of her generation’ by the New York Times and here at Company One Theatre, we agree wholeheartedly. With stories and pop songs, WE’RE GONNA DIE will break your heart and put it back together again.

We’re Gonna Die is a non-musical/non-play/non-concert that is not about dying. It’s a celebration of the things we do, say, and sing to keep ourselves going as we hurtle toward the finish line. 

Joe’s Pub (2011): Premiered in April 2011 in New York City, performed by Young Jean Lee with the band Future Wife and directed by Paul Lazar.

Lincoln Center (2012 & 2013): Staged at LCT3’s Claire Tow Theater for limited runs (September 2012 and August 2013).

London (2015): Featured David Byrne singing and Young Jean Lee performing monologues at the Southbank Centre in August 2015. 

Future Wife’s debut album, We’re Gonna Die was released August 6, 2013. It features members of various New York projects, including David Byrne, Laurie Anderson, Adam Horovitz, Kathleen Hanna, Sarah Neufeld, Colin Stetson, Drew Daniel and Martin Schmidt of Matmos, Cloud Becomes Your Hand, San Fermin, Field Guides, and Landlady, in monologue and musical roles.

In August 2015, a production was part of David Byrne’s Meltdown takeover series at Southbank Centre in London. It featured David Byrne as the lead singer while Lee performed the monologues, with Future Wife performing. Young Jean Lee’s show, We’re Gonna Die, has the aspiration of sharing a remedy for loneliness, one that isn’t too flashy or instantly life altering.  It is an answer so simple in its obviousness that one wonders why we can’t all readily except it’s premise more frequently.

We are all going to die.