Bubba Wiler, Quincy Tyler Bernstine, and Michael Chernus Discuss the Play 'Well, I'll Let You Go'

Thematic Core: Grief and Marriage

• 💔 'Well, I'll Let You Go' explores the complexities of marriage and grief following the death of a husband, Marv.
• 🏡 The play centers on Maggie, a teacher, and Marv, a lawyer, a Midwestern couple whose lives are disrupted by Marv's tragic shooting.
• ❓ As visitors arrive, Maggie begins to question if she truly knew her husband, especially in light of circumstances surrounding his death.

Playwright's Inspiration and Intent

• ✍️ Playwright Bubba Wiler, originally from the Midwest, was inspired by his family, community, and the collective experience of grief during COVID-19.
• 🎭 The play aims to highlight the often inadequate ways people try to support each other through mourning.
• 🌟 Wiler was deeply influenced by Thornton Wilder's 'Our Town' and sought to update its themes for a contemporary audience, focusing on the goodness of everyday people.

Character and Performance

• 🎭 Quincy Tyler Bernstine felt a personal connection to Maggie's character, using her own grief to inform her performance.
• 🎤 Michael Chernus portrays a unique narrator, acting as an advocate for Marv to ensure the truth of his death is revealed for Maggie's closure.
• 🤝 The narrator's role is to guide the audience through the story, ensuring essential information is conveyed.

Thematic Elements and Structure

• 💬 Visitors, including a cousin, funeral director, and friend, offer Maggie different forms of support, though she initially desires solitude.
• ⛪ Marv's increasing religiosity and community involvement are explored, alongside Maggie's questioning of faith and her husband's actions.
• 🎭 The play's structure, with individual scenes between Maggie and various visitors, is designed as a celebration of actors, giving each a significant moment.

Staging and Audience Engagement

• 📍 The intimate 100-seat Space at Irondale in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, features an unusual setup where the audience is split, facing each other across a runway.
• ⚡ This staging fosters a sense of community and allows actors to be naturalistic, with the audience's energy significantly impacting performances.
• 😂 Humor, particularly through characters like the funeral director, is used as a coping mechanism for grief, reflecting Wiler's own family experiences.

Reception and Impact

• 📣 The play has generated significant word-of-mouth buzz and was extended due to popular demand.
• 🌟 Audiences are described as tapping into the play's brilliant meditation on grief, finding it a universal and beautifully realized experience.
• 👏 The exceptional cast and director are credited with drawing audiences in, with each character richly drawn and offering substantial material for the actors.