Manning

by Benjamin Benne

A father and his sons spread the ashes of his wife/their mother in their backyard garden. When a giant zucchini manifests overnight, they each begin to develop language for their individual experiences of loss through their interactions with the supernatural vegetable. But can they also develop a communal vocabulary to express their grief with each other?

WORLD PREMIERE: Portland Stage (Portland, ME), 2024 /...

A father and his sons spread the ashes of his wife/their mother in their backyard garden. When a giant zucchini manifests overnight, they each begin to develop language for their individual experiences of loss through their interactions with the supernatural vegetable. But can they also develop a communal vocabulary to express their grief with each other?

WORLD PREMIERE: Portland Stage (Portland, ME), 2024 / Grand Prize Winner, Portland Stage's Clauder Competition
WEST COAST PREMIERE (forthcoming): Crowded Fire (San Francisco, CA), 2026

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Manning

Recommended by

  • Tatiana Godfrey: Manning by Benjamin Benne
    “

    A father and his two sons are dealing grief from the matriarch dying. This piece is lovely and has some fun possibilities for theatricality. Por ejemplo, a hawk and a zucchini are characters. The characters are 3 Latinx men who are full-whole-intriguing people. It's touching and fun. Whimsical. Not too heavy, with a hopeful ending.

    A father and his two sons are dealing grief from the matriarch dying. This piece is lovely and has some fun possibilities for theatricality. Por ejemplo, a hawk and a zucchini are characters. The characters are 3 Latinx men who are full-whole-intriguing people. It's touching and fun. Whimsical. Not too heavy, with a hopeful ending.

    ”
  • David Ramón Zayas: Manning by Benjamin Benne
    “

    This play is so honest and moving. It's also uniquely theatrical with opportunities for gorgeous movement work. Absolutely loved this piece and highly recommend it!

    This play is so honest and moving. It's also uniquely theatrical with opportunities for gorgeous movement work. Absolutely loved this piece and highly recommend it!

    ”
  • Gina Femia: Manning by Benjamin Benne
    “

    This play is fantastic, a gorgeous meditation on manhood, grief and families, I love this play.

    This play is fantastic, a gorgeous meditation on manhood, grief and families, I love this play.

    ”
View all 5 recommendations

Development History

  • Workshop, Latinx New Play Festival, 2023
  • Workshop, Portland Stage, 2023
  • Reading, Primary Stages, 2022

Production History

  • University, Yale School of Drama, 2021

Awards