And the Lights of the Borealis Were Shining

by Lizz Mangan

A polar bear and some candle wax. A longing to reunite. Four winds, and a little bit of magic (and weed). All of these guide Bee in a journey of recognizing the worth of second chances.

A polar bear and some candle wax. A longing to reunite. Four winds, and a little bit of magic (and weed). All of these guide Bee in a journey of recognizing the worth of second chances.

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And the Lights of the Borealis Were Shining

Recommended by

  • Eric Roberts: And the Lights of the Borealis Were Shining

    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.

    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: And the Lights of the Borealis Were Shining

    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.

    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: And the Lights of the Borealis Were Shining

    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.

    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.

Development History

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

Production History

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