The subsequent overall performance in Syracuse Stage’s 2022/2023 season is the globe premiere of “Tender Rain,” written by resident playwright Kyle Bass and directed by Rodney Hudson, the longtime Division of Drama faculty member.
The production runs Wednesday, May possibly three, by means of Sunday, May possibly 21, at Syracuse Stage in the Archbold Theater.
Set in a compact Southern city, circa the mid-1950s, “Tender Rain” introduces us to Milton Millard Milton, a white banker, and Ruthie Mimms, an older Black lady, and their deeply familial and complicated connection which profoundly influences Milton’s life.
Approaching late-middle-aged and childless, Milton and his wistful wife, Dolores, are lost in a marital fog of secrets and emotional withholding. Is there a way forward for them? Can Milton seek help from Ruthie without having destroying their connection? Will the momentary escape Milton finds in the arms of a younger lady spare him the reckoning he should in the end face? “Tender Rain” richly observes a layered emotional landscape rooted in an oppressive society as it explores intimacy, race, and the assumptions we all make about one particular an additional.
Kyle Bass
“Tender Rain” is the fourth play written by Bass and created by Syracuse Stage for their mainstage. Bass has also written two Backstory scripts as aspect of Syracuse Stage Education programming, and as aspect of a project focusing on the lives of student military veterans, Bass wrote “Separated,” which was presented on the Storch stage and at the Paley Center in New York City.
Syracuse Stage Artistic Director Bob Hupp says, “The beauty of this play lies in the richness of Kyle’s language. ‘Tender Rain’ tackles the complexity of relationships in approaches that transcend the time in which the play is set. This is not a play that could very easily translate to tv this is a operate that demands to reside on a stage. That is what I obtain so compelling about Kyle’s operate, and that is why we’re honored to assistance his craft as our resident playwright, and as a defining voice of our organization.”
Bass refers to “Tender Rain” as a “symphonic drama,” and it is also the 1st complete-length play Bass ever wrote.
“It’s strange and excellent to be functioning on this play once again almost 20 years right after I 1st began writing it as my graduate thesis. In revisiting it for its globe premiere, I could revise the play, but I could not revise the playwright who 1st brought it to the page—an physical exercise in acceptance and possibility. My course of action mirrored the underlying metaphor of the play: how do we as a nation completely acknowledge and reckon with the challenging and unchangeable truths of our shared previous and move forward with each other in the light of these truths towards a additional compassionate future?” Bass says.
The cast characteristics Devereau Chumrau as Lily/Medical professional, Brian Dykstra as Milton Millard, LeeAnne Hutchison as Dolores Millard, Marjorie Johnson as Ruthie Mimms, Erin Lockett as Deirdre/Aralia, Niall Powderly as Eddie “Brother” James, and Jenny Strassburg as Mary Honeycutt.
Director Hudson’s inventive group consists of scenic designer Se Hyun Oh, costume designer Tracy Dorman, lighting designer Dawn Chiang, sound designer Fabian Obispo and wig designer Bobbie Zlotnick. Laura Jane Collins is the stage manager.
Hudson was an assistant professor in the College of Visual and Performing Arts‘ drama division for 26 years, directing more than 30 productions.
Opening Evening for the globe premiere is set for 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May possibly five. All evening performances start at 7:30 p.m. whilst all matinee performances start at two p.m. Tickets start out at $30 with discounts accessible for students and groups of ten or additional. Tickets can be bought by going to SyracuseStage.org, by calling 315.443.3275, or by going to the Syracuse Stage Box Workplace at 820 East Genesee St.
Spend-what-you-will performances are May possibly three-six prologue conversations, 3 pre-show discussions that take location one particular-hour prior to curtain time on May possibly 7, May possibly 13 and May possibly 18 the post-show Sunday discussion will take location on Sunday, May possibly 14, right after the 7:30 overall performance. Syracuse Stage has its open-captioned performances scheduled for May possibly ten at two p.m., May possibly 20 at 7:30 p.m. and May possibly 21 at two p.m., as effectively as an audio-described overall performance on May possibly 20 at two p.m. The production Delighted Hour requires location an hour prior to the 7:30 p.m. curtain on May possibly 11.
Season assistance for Syracuse Stage is produced attainable by The Slutzker Loved ones Foundation.