SURELY GOODNESS AND MERCY

by Chisa Hutchinson

An odd, but bright little boy named Tino befriends the lunch lady at his crappy public school and becomes kind of a hero in the process.

An odd, but bright little boy named Tino befriends the lunch lady at his crappy public school and becomes kind of a hero in the process.

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SURELY GOODNESS AND MERCY

Recommended by

  • Nick Malakhow: SURELY GOODNESS AND MERCY by Chisa Hutchinson
    “

    A gorgeously subtle, intimate, character-driven play full of beautifully realized humans. The scenes are tenderly observed, poignant, and funny. The connection we see between Tino and Bernadette is specific and organic. I loved the way the scenes at school were punctuated by Tino's visits to church, mirroring his quest to find connection and community. This is deserving of multitudinous productions!

    A gorgeously subtle, intimate, character-driven play full of beautifully realized humans. The scenes are tenderly observed, poignant, and funny. The connection we see between Tino and Bernadette is specific and organic. I loved the way the scenes at school were punctuated by Tino's visits to church, mirroring his quest to find connection and community. This is deserving of multitudinous productions!

    ”
  • J.Lois Diamond: SURELY GOODNESS AND MERCY by Chisa Hutchinson
    “

    I love this play! It is full of warmth, humor and sass. Each character is well drawn and quirky, and would delight any actor lucky to be cast. It made me laugh out loud as I felt the pathos of their lives. I would love to see this produced.

    I love this play! It is full of warmth, humor and sass. Each character is well drawn and quirky, and would delight any actor lucky to be cast. It made me laugh out loud as I felt the pathos of their lives. I would love to see this produced.

    ”
  • Emily McClain: SURELY GOODNESS AND MERCY by Chisa Hutchinson
    “

    I received this play in my DPS Book Club this quarter and I absolutely loved it! Hutchinson's dialogue is genuine and the core relationships of the play are so unique. Tino is such an incredible protagonist, and his connection both with Bernadette and Deja makes the ending of the play so powerful. It's an uplifting story without being saccharine or "after-school-special." Beautiful work- I'd love to see it produced here in Atlanta!

    I received this play in my DPS Book Club this quarter and I absolutely loved it! Hutchinson's dialogue is genuine and the core relationships of the play are so unique. Tino is such an incredible protagonist, and his connection both with Bernadette and Deja makes the ending of the play so powerful. It's an uplifting story without being saccharine or "after-school-special." Beautiful work- I'd love to see it produced here in Atlanta!

    ”
View all 9 recommendations

Character Information

Everyone in this play is of color. Preferably black or Latinx because that's the truth of Newark, NJ right now, but if a Filipinx kid auditions for Deja and rocks it, I ain't trippin'. Newark has Filipinx kids, too.

Adults can play kids, but if you can find kids with chops, even better.

The voiceover characters can be read by actors in the main cast, if they're versatile like that.
  • Tino
    An oddball who gets picked on a lot at school. He's brilliant but diffident, so accustomed to being beat down or "put in his place" that he doesn't know how to engage people if it's not awkwardly.
    12
    Black
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Child,
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Deja
    A bit of a bulldozer and a little rough around the edges-- like even her love can be abrasive-- but she's ride-or-die loyal.
    12
    Black,
    Black Puerto Rican - American,
    African-American or Latinx,
    Afro-Latinx
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Child,
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander,
      South Asian or South Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Bernadette
    No-nonsense. No edit button either. Done with these kids. Except for Tino. He's alright.
    late 50's-mid 70's
    Black
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander,
      South Asian or South Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Alneesa
    Tino's aunt. Real wry sense of humor that often borders on cruelty. She's justifiably resentful over having to take care of a kid that she didn't ask for.
    30's
    Black
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Preacher
    Voiceover. Sincere, urgent, full of fire.
    40's - 60's
    Black
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Principal
    Voiceover. Probably started this job as an idealist, but is now just trying to get through the day without throwing a kid out the window.
    40's - 60's
    BIPOC
    Any
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander,
      South Asian or South Asian American
  • Teacher
    Voiceover. More important for her to seem right than be right.
    30's - 40's
    Any race (but likely African American / Black)
    Any (but probably Female)
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+

Development History

  • Commission, Writers Theatre, 2016

Production History

  • Professional, Writers Theatre, 2017
  • Professional, Keen Company, 2019