36 Questions is a 2017 musical podcast by Two-Up Productions with music and lyrics by Chris Littler and Ellen Winter, with sound design by Joel Raabe. It follows the story of an estranged husband and wife trying to reconnect over the "36 Questions That Lead to Love", which were a part of a psychological study that explores intimacy. Released in three 50-minute acts, the three episodes were released by Two-Up Productions on July 10, July 24, and August 7, respectively, and it stars Jonathan Groff and Jessie Shelton.
Notable Casts
Musical Numbers
Characters
Judith Ford (Natalie Cook) – Jase's estranged wife, who lied about her name when she met Jase, using the name Natalie Cook, which she used throughout the two years of their relationship. Despite lying about her identity, she loves Jase and attempts to save their relationship by using the 36 Questions. Jase Connolly – Judith's estranged husband, who was under the impression that Judith was called Natalie Cook for their entire relationship. After finding out that 'Natalie' was actually called Judith and had faked her identity for the entirety of their relationship, he leaves without saying goodbye, leaving his wedding ring on the kitchen counter and going to his childhood home. He has two mothers and a brother. Cooper Connolly – Cooper is Jase and his ex-girlfriend, Lisa's, son. He appears in the last scene between the songs "Attachment" and "The Truth" when Jase and Judith agree to meet up with each other at a restaurant. Cooper only has a speaking role and serves as physical proof of the rift between the two caused by time. Henry – A duck that Jase grew an attachment for.
Plot
Act I
Natalie Cook, married wife to Jase Connolly for 2 years, sits in her car in the middle of a storm and discloses to a voice recording (the musical's framing device) that her real name is Judith Ford and that she's been lying to her husband since the moment they met. She explains that he found out and fled to his childhood home as she arrives at the doorstep. Judith tells Jase, who is behind the door but refusing to respond, that he should hear her out so he can truly know the person he's trying to let go ("Hear Me Out").
After hearing Judith complain about mosquitoes, Jase lets her inside. He's renovating the house and gets progressively frustrated as he argues with Judith about her dishonesty throughout their marriage. Judith evades most of the conversation by asking about a duck in the room named Henry. Jase admits that he's at his childhood home to forget about Natalie, but he finds it turning into a maintenance job as the house is deteriorating and his attempts to fix the house are making it worse. ("One Thing")
A few moments later, Jase opens Judith's folder containing a book of matches, his wedding band, and a document containing the "36 Questions That Lead to Love", which he asked Natalie when they first met. Judith takes every document she forged to become Natalie and proposes that Jase sets them on fire in order to move on from her. Jase is unsure as to why that's his responsibility and states the only thing he wants is to know the truth; in turn, Judith explains that she was ashamed of the person she was when they first met, and saw the 36 Questions as an opportunity to live another life. Jase eventually gives in and sets the documents on fire. ("Natalie Cook")
After Jase dumps the ashes out of a window, Judith invites him out to her car to show him her passport. As they go to the car, Jase claims the entire ordeal is pointless. Judith rebukes that it's an opportunity for them to meet and ask the 36 Questions properly, which leaves him dumbfounded since they're no longer strangers. After Judith shows Jase her passport, she offers to do the Questions, but he refuses. She persists and asks him Question 1, and he begrudgingly answers that he'd have dinner with Judith as an opportunity to learn why she lied to him and how she thought it was okay, and to get closure on the relationship. ("Judith Ford")