Strand Theater wraps up season with a launch
The 18th season of Strand Theater Co. in Baltimore finishes with a bang, or at least a Bounce–the world premiere of a new play by Somnia Mari Feral.
The play follows a young single mother who returns to her childhood church after a stay in a mental health facility. Seeking stability, she enters a marriage with a recently widowed pastor, only to discover that the expectations of her new role conceal deeper tensions. As her circumstances shift, she confronts questions of control, identity, and personal agency. But along a turbulent, troubling path fraught with challenges also comes plenty of heart and humor to lighten the way.
Strand’s Artistic Director Alma Davenport will direct the production. Of the choice to launch the play, Davenport has reflected that “producing the world premiere of BOUNCE at the Strand is about giving a platform to an emerging playwright brave enough to tell the truth.” She adds that, with this piece, [the playwright] generously shares a slice of her own life, and I was immediately drawn to her lack of pretense”–further celebrating the play for its ability, and courage, to “to find humor in dark, painful situations.”
In all, from the time the two first broached the possibility of telling this story to its opening night in Baltimore, its been a decade; the development process alone has lasted nearly nine years, including multiple readings both virtual and in person. Now, at last, Bounce is ready to meet the world.
Hear what Somnia and Alma had to say here:
Find out more online at https://www.strand-theater.org/
