Black Box Players to open first show with heart
Benefit show to give back to transplantation surgery
The new Black Box Players’ first theatrical production at the Black Box Theater in Indian Head, may be a tearjerker, but according to the producer and director, it’s a show with an important message and a lot of heart.
“I chose to do this show because it really touched me after I saw it for the first time a year and a half ago,” Heather Bauer, director, said of the play. “I went in with my eyes wide open and found myself on a roller coaster of emotions.”
“The Tin Woman,” written by Sean Grennan, tells the story of Joy, a woman who receives a heart transplant and struggles with the idea that she lives because someone else died. Meanwhile, a family mourns the loss of their son, Jack, whose heart now beats in Joy. The play examines the complicated journey Joy and Jack’s family embark on leading up to their eventual meeting.
“I like to do things that bring awareness,” Bauer, who used to work in a hospital, said of the play’s context. “Not many people are that knowledgeable about organ donation… It’s such a gift and also the ultimate sacrifice.”
Proceeds from the shows second performance on Saturday, March 24, will benefit the University of Maryland Division of Heart Transplantation. Bauer said the cast decided collectively to do the benefit show to give back to the mission that’s at the heart of the show.
Almost everyone involved in the production has some type of personal connection to the show’s themes.
Sarah Seremet, who plays Joy, said her Godfather received a new heart that gave him a second chance at life two years ago. Kelsey Gahan, the show’s stage manager, said her niece also received a heart transplant five years ago when she was 3 years old. Some in the cast work are first responders or work in the medical field. Bauer and Lynne O’Meara, producer and who plays Jack’s mother, have experienced losing children in different ways.
“The emotions that we go through in this show, I know what that feels like,” O’Meara said of playing her character. “It wasn’t the loss of an adult child but it’s still a loss and it reaches down into my heart. Anybody who deals with something like this is just difficult… I don’t think we’ve had a rehearsal where most of us aren’t in tears, I cry every time and it’s heartfelt it’s real emotion.”
“We just have to ground ourselves afterwards and come back to reality,” Bauer said when the emotions take over rehearsals.
While Joy is struggling with the idea that she’s now living for herself and Jack, her heart donor, Jack’s family struggles in their own way with grieving for their son and brother and whether or not they’re ready to meet the person who has been kept alive by his heart.
While the play’s context is emotional, the message is uplifting and the play ends on a positive note.
“We do leave the audience with a sense that everything’s going to be ok,” Bauer said. “There’s a moment where [the family] is able to finally listen to their son’s heart in Joy. It’s heavy, but also rewarding that by donation they’ve given someone else life.”
Bauer said she hopes audiences walk away with an appreciation of what an organ donor’s family goes through and hopes the cast does justice to anyone who has received a transplant.
“I don’t think anyone will leave and not laugh, cry, laugh and cry again,” Bauer said. “If this brings any amount of awareness to organ donation, it’s worth it. There is joy that comes out of this.”
Showtimes are 8 p.m. March 23, 24, 30 and 31 and 3 p.m. March 25 and 31. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and students and $9 for children 12 and under.
Tickets for the March 24 benefit show cost $25 and include a wine tasting, silent auction, raffles, meet and greets with the cast, medical staff and recipients and testimonials beginning at 6 p.m.
For tickets and more information, go to indianheadblackbox.org or call 301-743-3040.