by Natalie Bates

Directed by Katrin Hilbe†

A Sundays@Six Series Reading in The Jewel Box Theater

These Things Happen is a play about the costs of keeping, and of revealing, a painful family secret. Joanne, a 40-ish painter living in suburban New York, is stunned to learn that her daughter, Jesse, was molested as an adolescent by her uncle—the same uncle who, we discover, abused Joanne at the same age. Jesse intends to confront and expose him on the occasion of his granddaughter’s bat mitzvah, a plan that meets with denial and resistance from both her mother and grandmother. An intensifying series of confrontations between Jesse, Joanne and her father and mother uncover patterns of betrayal that span generations—and threaten to extend into the future. It’s up to Jesse to lead the battle to break the chain of lies told in the name of a family's 'survival'.

FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

No Reserved Seating! Seating is on a first come, first served basis. Please arrive early to ensure seating.

Cast:

Ellen Barry*
Jody Prusan*
Jim Armstrong*
Georgina Bates
Paul Weisman
Penelope Tarr

* Appears courtesy of Actors Equity Association
† Member, Society of Stage Directors & Choreographers

Moderator: Michael Lazan