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 injured and several dead. Eleanor, the funeral home...

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.

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The Mourner

Recommended by

  • Donna Hoke: The Mourner by Bridgette Dutta Portman
    “

    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.

    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: The Mourner by Bridgette Dutta Portman
    “

    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.

    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: The Mourner by Bridgette Dutta Portman
    “

    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!

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

Development History

Awards

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