Her, Across the River by Hope Villanueva

An American woman on an escape from reality in Bangkok befriends a novice Buddhist monk. As they work through their wounds together, their lost loved ones journey on in the spirit world, all trying to achieve some level of peace and maybe even enlightenment. Told thru movement in a magical realism frame, this play explores the journey from grief to the start of healing.
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Her, Across the River

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear:
    16 Apr. 2021
    “ A moving mythical journey towards healing and peace that opens a world of understanding to us. Well done. ”
  • TJ Young:
    27 Jul. 2020
    “ This play utilizes the mystical and the personal in fantastic balance. Villanueva isn't afraid to imagine what some of the great myths would say about one woman's journey and she utilizes our knowledge of them beautifully. By mixing two distinct cultures and mythologies, this play opens up in a fantastic way and gives us a new way to look at pain and grief. This is powerful and theatrical. Fantastic job. ”
  • Vivian Lermond:
    12 Apr. 2020
    “ A magical work that weaves golden threads of classic mythology through a carefully structured plot line. The result is a multi-tiered story of grief, loss, forgiveness, and healing and the message that "there are not bad or good places. Only where we are." HER, ACROSS THE RIVER is a powerful play that deserves a production! ”

Character Information

The River is almost a character in the play. A dance ensemble could be employed to animate The River, or this could be achieved with tech elements. Feel free to expand the ensemble as large as you like.

  • Umbra
    Mid to late 40's,
    Any
    ,
    Female
    A grieving mother who has lost her teen daughter, Talin. She needs to hide, unable to move forward without her child.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      40s, 50s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any actor of color
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Talin
    15,
    Any
    ,
    Female
    Average American teen. A mix of curiosity, fear, and drive. Coming to terms with her own death, while seeing her mother struggle.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any actor of color
    • Gender: 
      Female, Non-binary
  • Asnee
    17,
    Thai
    ,
    Male
    Find solace in the monkhood, but his teen spirit is constantly questioning and doubting. His caretaker as a child was his older sister and he was given to the temple shortly before her death.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American, South Asian or South Asian American
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Devi
    16,
    Thai
    ,
    Female
    The adult of her family, left with responsibility for raising Devi when their mother passed. Living in poverty, she did things she was not proud of to keep food on their table. Her worry for her brother keeps her trapped, unable to completely cross into the Afterlife.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American, South Asian or South Asian American
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Demeter
    Ageless,
    Greek
    ,
    Female Identifying or Non-Binary
    The Greek Goddess of the Harvest. She swings from joy and love to destructive rage and grief as her daughter Persephone is returned to her and taken away again with the seasons. Her magic is intensely powerful.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any actor of color
    • Gender: 
      Female, Non-binary
  • Persephone
    Ageless teen,
    Greek
    ,
    Female
    She is eternal and a teenager at the same time. She has come to terms with her place, bouncing between her mother and Hades, and now helps spirits find their way when they die.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any actor of color
    • Gender: 
      Female, Non-binary
  • Phra Mae Thorani
    Ageless,
    Thai
    ,
    Female Identifying or Non-Binary
    The Thai Goddess of the Earth. Her magic lies in the protection of peace and serenity. Seeing strife and pain in others makes her deeply sad.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American, South Asian or South Asian American
    • Gender: 
      Female, Non-binary

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    INKubator On Air
    ,
    2019
  • Workshop
    ,
    HBMG's Winter National Playwrights' Retreat (Creede, CO)
    ,
    2017
  • Workshop
    ,
    WSC Avant Bard (Washington, DC)
    ,
    2017

Production History

  • Community Theater
    ,
    Rapid Lemon Productions
    ,
    2022

Awards

Finalist
,
Players Club New Play Festival
,
Players Club of Swarthmore (PA)
,
2020