A Life Worth Living is a new dramatic-comedy musical that follows Gavin, a depressed teenager involuntarily sent to a residential mental health treatment facility. There, he forges bonds with the other teens while working with his therapist to reconcile with both his best friend and his father. Using music—a mix of contemporary pop-rock with hip-hop and jazz—and comedy, A Life Worth Living focuses on topics of platonic love, mental health, and suicide, while exploring themes of grief, acceptance, and radical hope.
The cast of A Life Worth Living sing “Welcome to the Milieu.”
Book and music by senior Jeffery Chen. Directed by faculty member Chesney Snow, assistant directed by Ava Adelaja ’27, with music direction and arrangements by Vince di Mura, Lewis Center Resident Music Director and Composer. View the show playbill
Content Advisory: This production heavily focuses on suicide and mental health issues, and contains violence, strong language, flashing lights, and loud noises.
This project is supported in part by the Lewis Center for the Arts’ partnership with the IV Fund, which supports student independent work that explores mental well-being and mental health and gives campus audiences a chance to grapple with these matters in generative and generous ways.
Photo Highlights
Lucy Grunden ’27, Kailani Melvin ’28, Jeffery Chen '25 and Sydney Hogan ’26 in A Life Worth Living. Photo by Frank Wojciechowski
Kimberlynn Bjurstrom ’26 and Jeffery Chenn '25 in A Life Worth Living. Photo by Frank Wojciechowski
Lucy Grunden ’27, Sydney Hogan ’26, Sahaf Chowdhury ’26, Jeffery Chen ’25 and Kareish Thony ’27 in A Life Worth Living. Photo by Frank Wojciechowski
Jeffery Chen '25 and Nicholas Pham in A Life Worth Living. Photo by Frank Wojciechowski
Nicholas Pham in A Life Worth Living. Photo by Frank Wojciechowski
Jeffery Chen '25 and Sahaf Chowdhury ’26 in A Life Worth Living. Photo by Frank Wojciechowski
Sahaf Chowdhury ’26 in A Life Worth Living. Photo by Frank Wojciechowski
Jeffery Chen '25 and Kailani Melvin ’28 in A Life Worth Living. Photo by Frank Wojciechowski
Kailani Melvin ’28 in A Life Worth Living Photo by Frank Wojciechowski
Jeffery Chen ’25, Sydney Hogan ’26, Lucy Grunden ’27 and Sahaf Chowdhury ’26 in A Life Worth Living. Photo by Frank Wojciechowski
Sydney Hogan ’26, Jeffery Chen ’25 and Lucy Grunden ’27 in A Life Worth Living. Photo by Frank Wojciechowski
Jeffery Chen '25 and Rosa Hernandez Diaz ’27 in A Life Worth Living. Photo by Frank Wojciechowski
Jeffery Chen ’25 and Nicholas Pham in A Life Worth Living. Photo by Frank Wojciechowski
Kimberlynn Bjurstrom ’26, Kailani Melvin ’28, Sahaf Chowdhury ’26, Rosa Hernandez Diaz ’27, Jeffery Chen ’25, Lucy Grunden ’27, Sydney Hogan ’26, Kareish Thony ’27, Nicholas Pham take a bow. Photo by Frank Wojciechowski
Talkback
A post-show talkback with Dr. Calvin R. Chin, Director of Princeton’s Counseling and Psychological Services, follows the November 9 performance.
Tickets & Details
Performances are free and open to the public; advance tickets required.
Get free tickets through University Ticketing
Reach University Ticketing by email at tixhelp@princeton.edu or by phone at 609-258-9220, or visit the Frist Campus Center Ticket Office, open weekdays 12-4 PM.
Directions
Get directions to the Wallace Theater, located on the Forum level of the Lewis Arts complex, and find other venue information for the arts complex.
Accessibility
The Wallace Theater is an accessible venue with an assistive listening system. The performance on November 15 will feature open/live captioning (CART). Visit our Venues and Studios section for accessibility information about our various locations. Guests in need of access accommodations are invited to contact the Lewis Center at 609-258-5262 or email LewisCenter@princeton.edu at least one week in advance of the event date.
Additional Resources
- Princeton University Counseling & Psychological Services
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
- National Alliance on Mental Illness
- The Trevor Project
