And the Lights of the Borealis Were Shining by Lizz Mangan

The agreement was simple: Bee would live with Al, a talking polar bear, for a year. In exchange, her family would be blessed with incredible wealth. All this comes with a contract, however, and when Bee unknowingly breaks the terms, she is left alone and determined. With the help of strangers and a bit of magic, Bee embarks on a journey to rediscover the person she thought she knew, and maybe even discover what her own worth is.
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And the Lights of the Borealis Were Shining

Recommended by

  • Eric Roberts:
    16 Feb. 2023
    “ Lizz’s writing reminds me of the work of Sarah Ruhl. There is such a whimsy in the magical realism of this play as BEE discovers themselves through this pact. This is a play that can be staged so colorfully and so pure. Can't wait to read more of the author’s work. ”
  • Sasha Karuc:
    16 Jul. 2021
    “ While there are many stories about magic, it’s rare that you come across one that allows you to believe in it, even just for a while. Mangan’s play manages to do just that. The story is electric, weaving together brief moments of connection across time. I am such a sucker for queer twists on fables and mythologies, and this play beautifully embodies that. The characters are bursting with life, and the world is deeply immersive. There’s a lot of room for interpretation in the staging as well that would make this play dazzling to see performed live. ”
  • Ky Weeks:
    14 Apr. 2021
    “ A magical journey with some exceedingly well-crafted characters. Spells and curses are woven in every part of this play, present in time, space, and language. The enchantments here are not light, for magic is dangerous after all. Mangan does justice to the original tale, capturing the impossible nature of the adventure, while also telling a melancholic and carefully-written story of two young people who earnestly need one another, even though they don't see what's good in themselves. ”

BEE and AL must not be doubled.
All other characters may be doubled as needed.

Development History

  • Residency
    ,
    Eugene O'Neill Theater Center
    ,
    2019
  • Workshop
    ,
    University of Connecticut
    ,
    2016

Production History

  • Workshop
    ,
    The Tank
    ,
    2023
  • Workshop
    ,
    Gadfly Theatre Productions Final Frontier Festival: Fairytales
    ,
    2017