The Bottle Tree by Beth Kander

In The Bottle Tree, gun violence in America is explored through the story of a small-town girl with a big, bad family legacy. Years after a tragic shooting at East Maple High, all of Maple County, Mississippi, is still traumatized; perhaps no one more so than shy, sarcastic Alley, the little sister of the infamous shooter. With fragility, tenacity, and a sharp sense of humor, Alley is haunted by past ghosts and...
In The Bottle Tree, gun violence in America is explored through the story of a small-town girl with a big, bad family legacy. Years after a tragic shooting at East Maple High, all of Maple County, Mississippi, is still traumatized; perhaps no one more so than shy, sarcastic Alley, the little sister of the infamous shooter. With fragility, tenacity, and a sharp sense of humor, Alley is haunted by past ghosts and jolted into new worlds with few easy answers—and as she gradually realizes, so is everyone else. When everyone around you is also a little bit broken, how can anyone begin to piece themselves back together? Young love, old guilt, laughter, and lingering scars all keep the girl, the town, and Alley’s symbolic “bottle tree” on the verge of shattering.

NOTE: Script will soon be available through Stage Rights in Los Angeles - www.stagerights.com
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The Bottle Tree

Recommended by

  • John Hardaway:
    28 May. 2021
    “ I am proud to have been chosen to direct the amateur premier of this show. It was an amazing experience for me, my cast, and everyone who came to see it. It is such a strong and well-written play and develops such strong emotional responses to the situations that my cast had problems making it through some scenes without breaking down in tears. I would highly recommend this show to any group from high school age on up.
    Thank you Beth Kander.


    ”
  • Ian August:
    16 Mar. 2019
    “ Smart, current, and powerful without being maudlin, THE BOTTLE TREE is a beautifully crafted coming of age story set in suburban Mississippi, in a community devastated by gun violence. It expertly examines the lasting effects of school shootings, but Kander walks a fine line like a trained acrobat, delivering a play that is political without being accusatory. The characters are rich and flawed and colorful. It's a fantastic play. ”
  • Skye Robinson Hillis:
    16 Jun. 2017
    “ One of the best plays I saw in Chicago last year. Incredibly powerful, smart, and impactful. ”
View all 4 recommendations

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    Stage Left Theatre
    ,
    2015
  • Reading
    ,
    Ashland New Plays Festival (ANPF)
    ,
    2015
  • Workshop
    ,
    Stage Left Theatre
    ,
    2014

Production History

  • University
    ,
    Bluegrass Community College
    ,
    2016
  • Workshop
    ,
    ReACT
    ,
    2016

Awards

Honorable Mention
,
The Kilroys List
,
The Kilroys
,
2016
Winner
,
Ashland New Plays Festival
,
Ashland New Plays Festival
,
2015
Honorable Mention
,
The Kilroys List
,
The Kilroys
,
2015