and thou shalt be healed
Awards and Recognition
- OTR New Play Reading Series
Reviewer Quotes
“ Benne is a shrewd bet for the future. ”
Los Angeles Times
This new play will be presented as a reading. Readings are an essential part of the play development process. We are proud to offer this as part of our On The Radar (OTR) New Works Program that aims to support the creation of diverse new stories by emerging U.S. playwrights. Click here to learn more about OTR.
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ABOUT THE SHOW:
Siblings Mary and Johnny were raised in the same Christian cult. Now in their 40s, the still religious Mary is having a crisis of faith and is in need of a miracle. Her now secular brother offers a controversial solution. When reunited on a remote mountain in New Mexico, surrounded by energy vortexes, rumors of aliens, and a golden eyelash palm pit viper named Daisy, they wonder: Did they ever know the same God?
FROM THE PLAYWRIGHT:
I wrote this play at a time when I–and so many around me–were asking questions about our relationship to faith and spirituality. The play is an attempt to explore the balance between our search for answers and certainty with an acceptance/embrace of mystery, the inexplicable, the ineffable. For those who have seen my work at Chance Theater, you’ve now seen an older play of mine (at the very bottom of a body of water), a more recent play of mine (Alma), and now you’ll get to see one of my newest works with and thou shalt be healed.
This show deals with mature themes. Click here to view more.
ABOUT OUR 2025 RESIDENT PLAYWRIGHT:
Benjamin Benne
Benjamin Benne (he/him) was named part of “LA Vanguardia: The Latino innovators, instigators, and power players breaking through barriers” by the Los Angeles Times. His produced plays include Alma (Center Theatre Group’s Kirk Douglas Theatre, American Blues Theater, ArtsWest Playhouse, Curious Theatre Company, Central Square Theater, The Spot, Chance Theater), In His Hands (Mosaic Theater Company, First Floor Theater), Manning (Portland Stage), and What / Washed Ashore / Astray (Pillsbury House Theatre). Additionally, his work has been developed at the Colorado New Play Festival, Williamstown Theatre Festival, O’Neill National Playwrights Conference, The Public, Roundabout, Playwrights Realm, Denver Center, The Old Globe, Two River, New Harmony Project, and SPACE on Ryder Farm, among many others. He has been awarded Ojai Playwrights Conference’s Dr. Kerry English Award, Portland Stage’s Clauder Competition Grand Prize, American Blues Theater’s Blue Ink Playwriting Award, Arizona Theatre Company’s National Latinx Playwriting Award, and KCACTF Latinx Playwriting Award, among others. He is a Playwrights’ Center Core Writer and has been commissioned by South Coast Repertory and Seattle Repertory Theatre. MFA: David Geffen/Yale School of Drama. www.benjaminbenne.com
This new play will be presented as a reading. Readings are an essential part of the play development process. We are proud to offer this as part of our On The Radar (OTR) New Works Program that aims to support the creation of diverse new stories by emerging U.S. playwrights. Click here to learn more about OTR.
2025 OTR Reading Series Sponsors
Capital Group Companies Charitable Foundation
The Elizabeth George Foundation
Jennifer Ruckman & Ken Favell
Amanda Demaio
National Endowment for the Arts
David & Judy Joss
Steven & Louise Koch
Rachelle Menaker & Eddie Schuller
Venue Bette Aitken theater arts Center
- Full-Service Bar
- Free Parking
- Conveniently Located
See the show? Share your experience with us...
I attended the 6/4 reading. Kudos to the playwright! I loved the play and thought the actors were absolutely superb.
The dialogue felt real and the issues raised were timely as well as universal. These are big topics, yet personal as well, that thinking humans grapple with: is there a god and if so what is it, are we alone, what other explanations for life, healings and miracles are there , our need to connect with others and feel seen and organized religion’s failure to provide this etc. The play preface suggests that the theater , including backstage, onstage and the audience can provide a community sharing the exploration of the human experience and meaning.
I liked that each character had a moving arc; starting with their own rigid beliefs and growing, because they loved and respected each other, to hear each other and begin to question their own rigidity. They are left with the great unknowable questions, grays rather than black and whites.
I did have a problem with the evolution of Johnnie’s character after Mary dies. The unrealistic sci-fi metamorphosis diminished his character and humanity, and because of the deep seriousness that preceded it, I felt disappointed. It felt like a tag on that didn’t belong. Maybe something for another play.
I hope this play gets produced. Onstage I’d like to see the actors move a bit more so it doesn’t feel like talking heads, but this was a reading so that’s not a criticism, just a wish. Thank you for a most enjoyable and thoughtful evening.