In The Upper Room

In the Upper Room introduces the Berrys, a multi-generational Black family living under one roof, in the 1970’s. The center of the family sphere is a controlling and mysterious matriarch named Rose, who has indoctrinated fear into every member of the house. Whose past and stories don’t add up. And who may be hiding dark secrets. Surrounding her core of chaos is her mild-mannered husband, Eddie. Her gregarious...
In the Upper Room introduces the Berrys, a multi-generational Black family living under one roof, in the 1970’s. The center of the family sphere is a controlling and mysterious matriarch named Rose, who has indoctrinated fear into every member of the house. Whose past and stories don’t add up. And who may be hiding dark secrets. Surrounding her core of chaos is her mild-mannered husband, Eddie. Her gregarious son, John, and his wife Janet trying to reclaim ownership in their own home. Two nosy in-laws who love to challenge her credibility and Yvette and Josephine, her teenage granddaughters who she loves sporting against each other, bringing issues of colorism and loyalty into the family dynamic. This is a play woven with story-telling, Black love, the occult, family secrets, sisterhood and the ties that bind us all.
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In The Upper Room

Recommended by

  • Shaun Leisher:
    18 Feb. 2022
    One of the best plays about family secrets I've read in a long time.
  • Emma Goldman-Sherman:
    30 Oct. 2021
    I saw a wonderful reading of this play that is such an authentic look at a family and their secrets. Every character is well developed and interesting. Berry does a great job creating tensions and giving characters their moments to shine. This will be a play that actors enjoy performing in. Glad it's getting the attention it deserves!
  • Cheryl Bear:
    5 Feb. 2021
    A brilliant, authentic look at family in all its complexity and the bonds that tie that just explodes off of the page. Well done!

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    Great Plains Theater Conference
    ,
    2017

Production History

  • Professional
    ,
    Currently Seeking Production
    ,
    2018