News Summary
The Black Theatre Troupe will begin its upcoming season with the production of ‘Grace & Glorie’ by Tom Ziegler, showcasing the touching friendship between a terminally ill woman and a hospice volunteer. Set against the Blue Ridge Mountains, this play highlights themes of humor, empathy, and the power of intergenerational connections. Directed by Chanel Bragg, the production promises to engage audiences with its meaningful narrative and compelling performances.
PHOENIX – The Black Theatre Troupe will kick off its 2025-2026 season with the production of “Grace & Glorie” by Tom Ziegler, which will run from September 5 to September 21, 2025, at the Helen K. Mason Performing Arts Center. This poignant play delves into the unlikely friendship between a terminally ill woman and a hospice volunteer, framing a narrative that emphasizes humor, empathy, and shared humanity.
The story unfolds in the scenic backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, as it explores the lives of two distinct characters: Grace, a 90-year-old cancer patient who yearns to spend her final days in her beloved home, and Glorie, an enthusiastic hospice volunteer from New York. Their encounter sparks a journey marked by candid exchanges and a clash of personalities that showcases both the challenges and joys of intergenerational connections.
In the role of Grace, Shari Watts brings a wealth of experience, having previously appeared in productions such as “Black Pearl Sings” and “The Taste Test” with the Black Theatre Troupe. Her distinguished career includes significant performances as Jeri Neal in “Dixie Swim Club”, Kate in “All My Sons”, and Martha in “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf”, which earned her an ariZoni Award.
Taking on the character of Glorie will be Ryan Jenkins, who has appeared in productions like “Sunset Baby” and “Barbecue” at the Black Theatre Troupe. Jenkins has also garnered experience through his work with the Southwest Shakespeare Company and Stray Cat Theatre.
The production will be directed by Chanel Bragg, who returns to the Black Theatre Troupe following her successful direction of “The African Company Presents Richard III” and “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill”. Bragg’s extensive directing repertoire includes popular titles such as “Waitress,” “Looking Over the President’s Shoulder,” “The Glass Menagerie,” and “The Hula-Hooping Queen”. She has expressed enthusiasm for the play’s capacity to showcase the transformative power of connections between different generations.
“Grace & Glorie” was first presented in 1991 after its development at the Shenandoah Valley Playwrights Retreat. The play gained national recognition through an off-Broadway production featuring acclaimed actors Estelle Parsons and Lucie Arnaz. A subsequent television adaptation by Hallmark Hall of Fame, starring Gena Rowlands and Diane Lane, won the prestigious Christopher Award for its affirmation of human spirit values.
This heartwarming narrative has been embraced by theaters nationwide, celebrated for its unique blend of humor and poignancy. The themes highlighted in “Grace & Glorie” resonate widely, illustrating resilience, the power of unlikely friendships, and moments that bring people together despite life’s adversities.
With its thoughtful exploration of life, death, and the connections that bind us, the upcoming production by the Black Theatre Troupe promises to engage audiences and provoke reflection. As the season opener, it sets an exciting tone for the future performances awaiting theatre-goers in the 2025-2026 season.
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Additional Resources
- Backstage: Grace & Glorie
- Wikipedia: The Black Theatre Troupe
- Broadway World: Grace and Glorie Opening
- Google Search: Grace and Glorie
- Playbill: Grace & Glorie Image
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