The Mourner by Bridgette Dutta Portman

Finalist, Henley Rose Competition, 2019
Finalist, Bay Area Playwrights' Festival, 2019
Finalist, PlayPenn Conference, 2019
Semifinalist, O'Neill Playwrights' Conference, 2019

[Full-length] Reema comes to Glade Family Funeral Home and Cemetery with an unusual request: she wants to bury the body of her cousin, the perpetrator of a subway bombing that left dozens...
Finalist, Henley Rose Competition, 2019
Finalist, Bay Area Playwrights' Festival, 2019
Finalist, PlayPenn Conference, 2019
Semifinalist, O'Neill Playwrights' Conference, 2019

[Full-length] Reema comes to Glade Family Funeral Home and Cemetery with an unusual request: she wants to bury the body of her cousin, the perpetrator of a subway bombing that left dozens injured and several dead. Eleanor, the funeral home owner, refuses, and the two women are thrown into a struggle over the fate of the body that draws in Reema's mother Sana, Eleanor's apprentice Adam, and the wider community as prejudice, denial and buried secrets are unearthed. THE MOURNER is a loose adaptation of Antigone inspired by real events following the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing.
  • Recommend
  • Download
  • Save to Reading List

The Mourner

Recommended by

  • Donna Hoke:
    15 Jul. 2021
    “ A skillfully rendered illustration of how we are more alike than different--in good ways and bad--how empathy is the best part of our humanity, and how we should always seek to provide it. ”
  • Cheryl Bear:
    4 Jul. 2021
    “ An examination of grief, prejudice and terrorism as the fate of the body of the perpetrator of the bombing is decided. Thought provoking and well done. ”
  • Samantha Marchant:
    18 Feb. 2021
    “ A skilled reimagining of Antigone. The comparisons are there but this script goes above and beyond bringing the story to today with issues of prejudice, terrorism, grief and family. The characters are all wonderfully developed and Terry adds some great comedic moments. Highly recommend! ”

Character Information

An offstage chorus of PICKETERS and the voice of a NEWSCASTER can be doubled with the major actors.

  • Reema
    Early 20s,
    Arab American
    ,
    Female
    A young Muslim Arab American woman. Wears hijab. Brave, firm in her convictions, resolute to the point of obstinacy.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American
    • Gender: 
      Female, Non-binary
  • Eleanor
    Late 40s/early 50s,
    Any
    ,
    Female
    Owner of a small family-run funeral home and cemetery. Not quite as empathetic as she believes herself to be.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      40s, 50s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female, Non-binary
  • Adam
    Early 20s,
    Any
    ,
    Male
    Apprentice at Eleanor’s funeral home. Socially awkward; a bit on the nerdy side. Has a pragmatic view of death
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male, Non-binary
  • Sana
    40s,
    Arab American
    ,
    Female
    Mother of Reema. Immigrated to the U.S. in her 20s. Stopped wearing hijab after 9/11.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American
    • Gender: 
      Female, Non-binary
  • Terry
    60s+,
    Any
    ,
    Male
    Eccentric county Coroner. Has a dry, morbid sense of humor and an affinity for birds.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      60s, 70s+
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male, Non-binary

Development History

Awards

Finalist
,
PlayPenn Conference
,
PlayPenn
,
2019
Finalist
,
Bay Area Playwrights Festival
,
Playwrights Foundation
,
2019
Semi-Finalist
,
Princess Grace Award
,
Princess Grace Foundation
,
2019