Photo taken by K. Nowosad at the entrance to Bauer Boucher Theatre Center – Premiere Stages at Kean
Walden – a Play by Amy Berryman
Climate Change is a frequent topic of concern these days. It holds a questionable future for the earth. There are many opinions on courses of action to take including leaving the earth and starting anew. It's a terrifying subject and one that looms large over us. This is what the play Walden is about.
Written by Amy Berryman, Walden was a finalist of the Premiere Stages’ 2019 Play Festival and had a developmental workshop in June 2019. From there, it had its world premiere on London’s West End in May 2021. Walden then premiered Off-Broadway in 2024 in a Second Stage Theater production. Now, it returns to Premiere Stages for its New Jersey Premiere.
Walden could be classified as Science Fiction because it is fiction based on imagined scientific advances. It also involves major social and environmental changes. But if you are not a sci-fi fan, no worries. There is a lot of reality in the play as it uses real concepts and changes happening on earth right now. The situations and some solutions mix the reality with what could happen.
Overall, Walden is a gem of a play to see. It tells a powerful story that unfolds with strong characterizations. The staging is very well done as it invites its audience to come into a world in the not so distant future.
Allison Altman, Erin Germaine Mahoney and Anthony Vaughn Merchant. Premiere Stages’ 2025 production of WALDEN. Photo by Mike Peters.
A Story of an Uncertain Present and Future
Charlotte Cohn directs Walden. It features two camps of thought to deal with Earth’s climate crisis. One group is Earth Advocates (EAs) who believe in trying to find a better way to live on Earth and deal with the harsh changes. The other are those who see colonization and going to live on another planet as the best solution.
One family is deeply involved with the crisis. Their story becomes the focus of the play. It unfolds with strong characters asserting which side they are on. The important character development they go through gives the story unique twists and turns.
The story takes place in a rustic cabin located many miles from a city in an area considered safe enough that people do not have to use masks outside. Stella (Allison Altman) and her live-in boyfriend Bryan (Anthony Vaughn Merchant) live here. They are Earth Advocates. Their lifestyle is different from the way most people live today. Bryan grows their food as Stella attempts to keep somewhat in touch with the outside world through technology fueled by their generator.
As the play opens, Stella is busy looking at a device to hear more about the tsunami that has taken a multitude of lives on the East Coast. Bryan, who does not do any screens, accepts her information. Stella’s explanation of what has happened immediately signals that this type of extreme weather is a regular event. Stella is waiting for her estranged twin sister, Cassie (Erin Germaine Mahoney), to arrive for a visit.
Cassie is on the opposite side from the EA’s. She works for NASA and is an astronaut. She is returning from a successful project on the moon where she managed to grow plants basically from nothing. The results of her experiment have landed her a spot on a mission that will begin colonies on another planet. However, she will never return to Earth.
Strong Characterizations Guide the Story to a Conclusion
It is important to note that Stella and Cassie are twin daughters of a father who was a NASA astronaut. He taught them to be dedicated to science and both did that. Stella and Cassie both became a part of NASA. However, at some point, Stella washed out of the program. She feels like a failure in many ways and it weakens her especially with Cassie being so successful.
As the two sisters visit, their points of view are exchanged. They are cautious at first but problems arise through their visit. Cassie appears to be vulnerable and Stella appears to gain strength.
Bryan is more certain of who he is and his beliefs. He becomes a strong attachment for Stella right from the start of the play. But then it appears that Cassie sees something in him and Stella that causes her to question her decision to leave Earth.
Both sisters start to question whether or not they have made the right choice with their lives. The interaction between them and with Bryan causes them to rethink what they are planning to do. It takes a lot of discussion and soul searching well written into the play to reach their final conclusion. Hints of the way they will go are provided throughout but the ending will come with some surprises.
Staging
Staging for Walden uses a set that is well designed to allow the characters the opportunity to be with other people or alone. Lighting plays a significant role as the story unfolds and glimpses of the moon give a surreal atmosphere at times.
The concept of a cabin that provides a safe haven for people to live on their own is evident in the use of furniture and props. It has a warm feeling inside with the ability to see out to a world that is faltering by the day. High marks go to the Creative Team for their design, lighting, sound, costumes, props, and production.
Artwork by Yadira Hernández as it appears on Premiere Stages at Kean website
Go to See Walden
This is a show you should add to your list of plays to see this month. Between the story, fine acting, and well designed set, you are certain to gain a lot of issues to discuss afterwards. Walden plays through September 21, 2025 at Premiere Stages at Kean. It runs 95 minutes with no intermission.
Tickets are available through the Premiere Stages at Kean website.
