Hail Mary

Mary, a young trans woman, is staying with her childhood best friend, Olivia, and Olivia’s boyfriend Dean for the weekend. Dean and Olivia -both recent Catholic converts- consistently antagonize her. However, as Mary is demonstrating odd symptoms -fatigue, nausea in the mornings, vivid dreams- something strange, supernatural, or even divine seems to be at play...

Mary, a young trans woman, is staying with her childhood best friend, Olivia, and Olivia’s boyfriend Dean for the weekend. Dean and Olivia -both recent Catholic converts- consistently antagonize her. However, as Mary is demonstrating odd symptoms -fatigue, nausea in the mornings, vivid dreams- something strange, supernatural, or even divine seems to be at play...

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Hail Mary

Recommended by

  • Emma Skinner: Hail Mary

    A sharp, fluid, frighteningly beautiful play that reaches into your soul and refuses to let go. Senese-Grossberg gives us three complicated, messy characters who feel as real as the breath in our lungs and the hearts in our chests, and does not shy away from the tangled intricacies of modern-day loneliness, prejudice, autonomy, and faith. I was captivated, terrified, and entranced throughout, and I'll be thinking about this one for a long time to come. What an absolutely stunning script.

    A sharp, fluid, frighteningly beautiful play that reaches into your soul and refuses to let go. Senese-Grossberg gives us three complicated, messy characters who feel as real as the breath in our lungs and the hearts in our chests, and does not shy away from the tangled intricacies of modern-day loneliness, prejudice, autonomy, and faith. I was captivated, terrified, and entranced throughout, and I'll be thinking about this one for a long time to come. What an absolutely stunning script.

  • Shaun Leisher: Hail Mary

    This play packs a major punch. I love how it explores religious hypocrisy in such a unique way. I also thought it was interesting how it depicted a playwright that fought against the world's march towards inclusion. The character of Mary is a monumental achievement when it comes to improving trans representation. She is so beautifully written and complex. I found myself shocked by some of the choices she makes but it all still felt true to her character. This play is incredible and will start important conversations.

    This play packs a major punch. I love how it explores religious hypocrisy in such a unique way. I also thought it was interesting how it depicted a playwright that fought against the world's march towards inclusion. The character of Mary is a monumental achievement when it comes to improving trans representation. She is so beautifully written and complex. I found myself shocked by some of the choices she makes but it all still felt true to her character. This play is incredible and will start important conversations.

Character Information

Mary must always be played an actor of trans feminine experience.
  • Mary
    An aspiring actor, very lost, very lonely, very much looking for love and purpose, trying to not disappear into herself, striking but probably not dressing for it this weekend
    Character Age
    mid 20s
    Character Gender Identity
    Trans woman
  • Olivia
    former aspiring actor, recently converted to Catholicism, marginally delusional, Mary’s childhood best friend, doing a very classic tiktok influenced trad wife thing
    Character Age
    mid 20s
    Character Gender Identity
    Cis female
  • Dean
    a playwright on the rise, a Catholic convert, cool, gorgeous, and seemingly self assured with a fanatical streak, Olivia’s boyfriend, has that Brooklyn intellectual aesthetic, was probably part of Dimes Square
    Character Age
    mid 30s
    Character Gender Identity
    Cis male

Development History

  • Type Workshop, Organization Iowa New Play Festival, Year 2026
  • Type Reading, Organization University of Iowa, Year 2025