Morning Sun

Spreckels Performing Arts Center is thrilled to present Morning Sun, a gripping drama from Simon Stephens, the creative and insightful playwright who captivated audiences with The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.

Morning Sun, directed by Lauren Heney, beautifully meditates on family, time, and the ways people strive to make sense of, and make peace with, their own histories. Set against the backdrop of New York City, the play follows Charley McBride, a woman whose experiences are shaped by both the city around her and her relationships with her mother, Claudette, and daughter, Tessa. The story unfolds as an evolving dialogue among the three women, shifting and overlapping through memories that reveal moments of love, loss, and resilience.

As Charley navigates the complexities of single motherhood, evolving relationships, and her work as a receptionist at St. Vincent's Hospital, each experience leaves an indelible mark on her sense of self. Her deep connection to New York is woven throughout the play, from the Bohemian spirit of Greenwich Village in her youth to the profound impact of historical events. 

Morning Sun takes an unconventional approach, forgoing traditional scenes in favor of a continuous, fluid conversation that moves between past and present. The three women narrate, reinterpret, and occasionally contradict one another as they weave together their shared history. The result is a compelling portrait of life's fleeting moments, inviting audiences to reflect on their own lives and the choices that have shaped them.

Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.