Communion, an award winning play written and directed by Canadian playwright, Daniel MacIvor made its U.S. debut at the Off-Broadway theater, Urban Stages New York.
Communion which brings to the surface the complex topics of life and death, religion and addiction through its characters will run from September 30th til October 30th, 2016.
On the question of the heart of the play, Maclvor states that “Communion is a play about three women. It’s played in three acts. Because we meet these three characters- the mother, the daughter and the therapist in two different combinations: so it’s the mother and the therapist, the mother and the daughter, and the daughter and the therapist- everyone gets to play two sides of themselves. It’s almost like the actors have the opportunity to play two characters because we are so different with the different people we come in contact in our lives. I think that’s another that’s interesting about this idea about purchasing communion with other people is that how can we really connect with other people when we change so much from person to person?”
The play opens up with Leda (Stephanie Cozart), a divorced mother and ex-alcoholic who is dying of terminal cancer and her therapist Carolyn (Erica Bradshaw). During their session Leda seeks advice and Carolyn tells her that she should contact her estranged daughter Ann (Jackie Hansen). The second scene takes place in a hotel room, where Leda confronts Ann and both share previously private and significant changes to their lives. Coming full circle and ending the play, Ann hunts down Carolyn seeking answers, only to discover that the therapist is battling with life-long questions herself.
