"Under the Wide and Starry Sky" by Peter B. Sonenstein is a drama about two families coping with grief, displacement, and uncertain futures. Set over 24 hours in the Talbot family's New England home, they prepare to move following the death of their oldest son, James, three years earlier. Frank, the father, focuses on the logistics, while David, their surviving son, clings to memories.
Mary, the mother, unexpectedly brings Carmen and Esperanza Rios, Venezuelan refugees, to shelter with them for the night, stirring tension. The Rios family's separation from loved ones mirrors the Talbots' grief. As events unfold, Carmen, in a fragile state, goes missing but is eventually found. The night brings moments of emotional confrontation: Mary struggles with letting go, David reveals plans to move to California, and Frank avoids facing his family’s deeper issues.
After a night of bonding between the two families, the Rios family learns their missing relative has been located. They leave for a reunion, and Mary, overwhelmed, has an emotional breakdown. In the morning, Esperanza returns to say thank you and plays their piano, a poignant symbol of hope. The Talbots agree to store items for the Rios family and prepare for the next chapter of their lives as the moving truck arrives.