Queen City Queer Theatre Collective and Unity Productions’ Barebones: Staged Readings are teaming up for a two-night showing of Lee Blessing’s INDEPENDENCE on May 10th at Know Theatre of Cincinnati and May 11th at Below Zero Lounge.
The play, which premiered at The Actor’s Theatre of Louisville’s Humana Festival in 1984, remains today a profound tale of sisterhood, motherhood, and family. This production will be directed by Lindsey Augusta Mercer, resident director and co-founded of the collective, who recently directed Diogenes’ DEATH AND THE MAIDEN, and will feature local artists Alison Vodnoy Wolf and Cathy Springfield, who have received regional acclaim for their writing as well as their performing. Linnea Bond, co-founder of the collective, and Miami University grad Kaleigh-Brooke Dillingham will round out the cast.
Regarding the collaboration, Jon Kovach, Unity Productions’ founder, notes “Unity’s mission to create “positive change in society,” fits directly with QCQTC’s consistent work to bring awareness of equality.” He describes INDEPENDENCE, which will perform on Mother’s Day, as “an all female August: Osage County.” Evelyn has three grown daughters; Kess, Jo, and Sherry. Kess returns home for the first time in four years after a falling out with Mom. Kess is determined to help Jo fly from the nest, but Evelyn tightens her grip, in fear of abandonment. Sherry spends most of her time day-dreaming about her biker-man Spinner. Is it possible, the play asks, to have both family loyalty and independence?
Behind the Curtain Cincinnati 