Clear Space presents ‘Night Mother’ opening May 31
“Night Mother,” a Pulitzer Prize-winning drama, opens Friday, May 31, at Clear Space Theatre. Written by Marsha Norman, the two-woman show is presented for one weekend only and features Sydney Gray (Jessie) and Elaine Faye (her mother). Says Gray, “This play’s honesty and courage have haunted me since I first read it, 10 years ago. It just spoke to me in a way that few plays have.”
Critics have described “Night Mother” as honest, sparse, uncompromising, intelligent, penetrating, intense, and warm. Perhaps the New York Times summed it up best: “shattering.”
Set in a small, rural house, the play relates a single evening’s fraught conversation between two women: Jessie, and her mother. Jessie, disappointed in all aspects of her life, has announced plans to kill herself. Their ensuing conversation, says Gray, “is true genius. Marsha Norman has sculpted this play from very complicated conversations about mental and emotional health - poignant conversations that need to be heard.”
Gray notes, “This show asks many questions, and ultimately answers very few. But they still are important questions for people to hear and to evaluate how they feel about them. “‘Night Mother’ doesn’t solve a problem – it’s not meant to – but rather, brings a problem to people’s attention, so they might answer it for themselves.”
Asked about the challenges - and rewards - her role poses, Gray says, “First, just getting to work so closely with Elaine Faye is a dream come true! Aside from that, what I love most is creating a character. My character, Jessie, has experiences in life that are so different from mine. I need to portray her in a way that helps people understand her struggle. People don’t have to agree with her choices or the way she is living, but I do so want them to connect to her and with her. I want to bring dignity and understanding to her forgotten and heartbreaking life.”
Gray adds, “But this show is not all doom and gloom!’ There are pockets of humor throughout - plenty of opportunities to laugh. But you know what? Not everyone needs to see a ‘feel good’ show all the time. Some self-examination through art leads to growth, and Clear Space is finding a great audience for these grittier shows in our lineup. I’m excited for audiences to be brave with us for this very special show.”
Sponsored by Blue Moon, performances of “‘Night Mother” will be at 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday, May 31 and June 1, and at 3 p.m., Sunday, June 2. Tickets for all performances are $17 to $32, and are available at www.clearspacetheatre.org, or by calling the box office at 302-227-2270.
