Intimate | Lyrical | Tender
Before Simon came out, his mother Ora was his best friend and biggest supporter, but now there’s an ocean between them of what can’t be said, especially around his father. After a life-changing secret comes to light, will the family’s bond survive? Critically-acclaimed playwright Harrison David Rivers (This Bitter Earth and Interlude) returns to NCTC with this “gripping, funny and–above all else–brutally honest” (Talkin’ Broadway) semi-autobiographical story that explores how people can change and how love can evolve.
West Coast Premiere l About 70 minutes (no intermission)
Read the show program.
Plan your visit with transportation tips, health & safety notes, seat maps and more.
Presented in Partnership with African American Arts and Culture Complex.
- NCTC favorite Harrison David Rivers is back with another deeply touching piece
- Amplifying the intimate nature of this play, audiences can experience this production in our Walker in-the-round staging
- Critics have raved about this production (see reviews below)
- Got a busy schedule? This play is only 70 minutes with no intermission
“Touching, true-to-life drama…produces chills and wonders” – Theatrius
“Playwright Harrison David Rivers writes little lyrical details that shine like jewels” – The San Francisco Chronicle
“This is one of the best productions ever at NCTC, and one that richly deserves your attendance and will reward your attention” – Talkin’ Broadway
“Rivers writes with palpable empathy for each of his characters. He loves them and he makes it clear that they love each other, even when they’re painfully at odds.” – Bay Area Reporter
“Director ShawnJ West wrings out realistic performances from his cast and allows Rivers’ touching script to unfold before us.” – Broadway World
“we are continuous is a superb piece of theater” – Stage and Cinema
- Full run: Oct 20 – Nov 26, 2023
- Pay-what-you-wish Previews: Oct 20 – 27
- Pre-show conversation with director and playwright: Oct 21
- Opening Night: Oct 28
- Enhanced Safety Performance: Nov 2
- Post-Show Discussion: Nov 5
Harrison David Rivers (Playwright, pronouns: he/him) is an award-winning playwright, librettist, and television writer based in St. Paul, Minnesota. His plays include The Bandaged Place (Roundabout, New York Stage & Film), We Are Continuous (Geva Theatre Center, Williamstown Theatre Center), This Bitter Earth (Seattle Public, TheatreWorks Hartford, InterAct, The Road, Richmond Triangle Players, Theater Alliance, About Face, Penumbra), Where Storms Are Born (Williamstown Theatre Festival), When Last We Flew (Out Front, Real Live Arts, TheatreLAB, Diversionary, NYFringe), and the musicals Five Points with Douglas Lyons and Ethan Pakchar, We Shall Someday with Ted Shen, and I Put A Spell On You with Nubya Garcia. His television credits include One Of Us Is Lying (Peacock) and The Nevers (HBO).
ShawnJ West (Director, pronouns: he/him) is a director/actor whose credits include the Seattle cult hit Sex In Seattle: Episodes 15, 16, 17 & 18 with SIS Productions; ReAct’s production of WELL; 2009 West Coast premiere of Illyria and The Seven Year Itch with Redwood Theatre. Bay Area directing credits include the world premiere of Interlude, regional premier of DOT at New Conservatory Theater Center; African American Shakespeare Company’s production of Cinderella and AD on Macbeth; A Soulful Christmas with Lorraine Hansberry Theatre, and the one man show Aren’t You…? presented at the Marsh.
Creative Team
Sound Design… Ray Archie (pronouns: he/him)
Production Management & Casting Coordination…Toni Guidry (pronouns: she/her)
Set Design… Isaac Fine (pronouns: he/him)
Lighting Design… Stephanie Johnson (pronouns: she/her)
Stage Management… Liam Kirk (pronouns: he/him)
Props Design… Tom O’Brien (pronouns: he/him)
Costume Design… Jasmine Milan Williams (pronouns: she/her)
Cast
Season Producers: Michael Golden & Michael Levy, Robert Holgate, Lowell Kimble, Ted Tucker
Executive Producers: Bill Gregory, The Tiphane Fund at the East Bay Community Foundation, Larry Vales
Producers: Cole Kinney & Dale Becherer, Ken Prag & Steve Collins