Bandera, Texas by Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend

FULL LENGTH. A dramedy about marriage, motherhood, and the women who came before us and paved our way. Liz, a native New Yorker, is forced to relocate to the Texas Hill Country for her husband’s job. She is visited by her long-dead grandmothers, who help her adapt to her new life and remind her that an uprooted woman can grow wherever she is replanted when she knows who she is and carries the people and places she loves inside her.
  • Recommend
  • Download
  • Save to Reading List

Bandera, Texas

Recommended by

  • Nora Louise Syran:
    10 Oct. 2023
    “ Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend is a remarkable playwright. Her voice is distinct. Her world building precise, deft. Her characters so real, lovable, likable in all their quirkiness. The dialogue in this piece is spot on as is the humor. Just lovely. ”
  • Morey Norkin:
    7 Sep. 2023
    “ This play really speaks to me. A move from NYC to Bandera, TX, is certainly every bit as challenging as moving to a foreign country. And Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend does a marvelous job of humorously capturing the culture shock and the misgivings that can accompany a such a huge compromise in a relationship. But this play is much more than a fish-out-of-water story. With the inclusion of the two grandmothers, Feriend highlights challenges placed on women for generations. Expertly written with engaging characters, BANDERA, TEXAS is an excellent addition to any theater’s season. ”
  • Christopher Soucy:
    20 Apr. 2022
    “ Feriend is an alchemist who transforms strings of words into gold. I loved this play. Perfectly paced and hypnotically theatrical. It awakened the actor in me, wanting to deliver these lines and tell this story. Kudos. ”
View all 13 recommendations

Character Information

3 women and 1 man, with the man playing every male role

  • Liz
    30s,
    White
    ,
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Mary
    Any adult age,
    White
    ,
    Female
    Liz's Italian grandmother; Mary and Genevieve can be any age, but they should both be around the same age - either both are young women, both are middle aged, or both are seniors
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Genevieve
    Any adult age,
    White
    ,
    Female
    Liz's Irish grandmother; Mary and Genevieve can be any age, but they should both be around the same age - either both are young women, both are middle aged, or both are seniors
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Dave
    30s,
    Any
    ,
    Male
    Liz's husband; the actor must be able to do a convincing Kennedy impression
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    Prism Theatre Company
    ,
    2021
  • Workshop
    ,
    Chicago Women's Theatre Alliance
    ,
    2020
  • Workshop
    ,
    Wayward Sisters Theatre Ensemble
    ,
    2020

Production History

  • Professional
    ,
    Prism Theatre Company
    ,
    2022

Awards

Finalist
,
Best New Play
,
St. Louis Theatre Circle Awards
,
2023
Selection
,
Spotlight on... Women Writing
,
Prism Theatre Company
,
2021
Semi-Finalist
,
Meet The Artist Series
,
Dreamcatcher Repertory Theatre
,
2021
Semi-Finalist
,
Seven Devils Playwrights Conference
,
Seven Devils New Play Foundry
,
2021
Semi-Finalist
,
New Works Festival
,
Garry Marshall Theatre
,
2020
Finalist
,
NEWvember Dublin Festival
,
AboutFACE Theatre
,
2020