Of all the conflicts that could be written, grief and love are the first two and the hardest. Ian Donley has crafted them beautifully in “is my sun shining?”a touching play that looks into their complexities. Alec’s journey through loss is depicted with raw emotion and dark humor, creating a deep human experience, with sharp dialogue and vibrant characters making their interactions feel real and moving. Donley balances the heaviness of its themes with lighter moments, offering an overall presentation that is both emotional qand inspiring.

When we lose a loved one, we often carry on imaginary conversations with them. Ian Donley takes this concept a step further in this story of grief resulting from a recent tragedy. Even with the dark subject matter, Donley manages to give us a couple of welcome laugh out loud moments. But it’s the feeling that if only this conversation could have happened sooner that is the true haunting of this piece. Poignant and beautiful work.

The complexity of grief is given its full due in this moving play. Alec's response to Brayden's suicide rings true in its ambivalence and confusion. Broken as he is, that he is ultimately lead to take a step back into life is hearteningly apt. A lovely and true to life work.