Climate Drama Explores The Future Of Earth And Space

The stakes couldn’t be higher: climate catastrophe looms, and the last chance to save humanity may be slipping away. It’s in this future that Premiere Stages will launch Amy Berryman’s acclaimed play “Walden” on Sept. 4, at Kean University’s Bauer Boucher Theatre Center, running through Sept. 21. 

The play follows Stella and her fiancé, Bryan, as they await the return of Stella’s estranged twin sister, Cassie. Raised by their astronaut father to become NASA scientists, the sisters have taken different paths in life.

While Stella left space behind, Cassie became an astronaut and is just returning from a mission to the moon. As the sisters reunite, conflicts emerge as Stella and Cassie are forced to pursue a new life in space or remain on Earth as humanity faces an uncertain future.

Portraying the three main characters are actors Allison Altman, Erin Germaine Mahoney, and Anthony Vaughn Merchant. Charlotte Cohn is the director of Berryman’s play, who was an actor herself with Premiere Stages for nine years.

“To me, the best kind of theatre is the kind where it makes you laugh, cry, think, and hopefully moves you to action in some way,” says Cohn. “I think this play hits on all of those spots. The actors are just incredible. As someone who has directed a lot, these three are really unique.” 

While Berryman’s play is set in the unspecified near future, Cohn believes that the story takes place somewhere in the next 10 to 20 years. One factor shaping her perspective is the climate clock in New York City’s Union Square. While the clock is not counting down the end of the world, it indicates how much time humanity has left before the worst effects of climate change become irreversible. 

“If nothing is done in the next four years or so, which now seems more likely every day in terms of our climate policy, then that means 15 to 20 years down the line, this could be reality,” said Cohn. “We would have to explore serious efforts in living somewhere like Mars or the moon.” 

“Walden” examines the pros and cons of staying on Earth or living in space. While Bryan is an Earth advocate, fighting for life on the planet, Cassie is fighting for life in space, while Stella is caught in between.

“To me, I think that answer lies somewhere in between. We need to fight for both. We need to explore what else we can do, but we also need to do what we can to save the Earth,” said Cohn. “Basically, the play is a love letter to the planet. And while that’s the side I land on, it’s ultimately up to the audience to make their own decision.” 

While production begins on Sept. 4, opening night is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 5. Following the opening night performance, audiences can mingle with the cast in the theatre lobby, where champagne and dessert will be served.

 
A schedule and tickets for the performances can be found online at https://premierestagesatkean.com. Kean University’s Bauer Boucher Theatre Center is located at Vaughn Eames Hall on 1000 Morris Ave. in Union.