By Deanna Dement Myers

The Heath’ – Written by Lauren Gunderson. Directed by Artistic Director Sean Daniels. Featuring Miranda Barnett and George Judy. The creative team includes Tanya Orellana, Scenic Designer; Miranda Kau Giurleo, Costume Designer; Maria Cristina Fusté, Lighting Designer; Danny Erdberg, Sound Designer; Seaghan McKay, Projection Designer; Maegan Conroy, Production Stage Manager. Playing at the Merrimack Repertory Theater February 13 to March 10.

“I fear I am not in my perfect mind.”

Guilt is a universal feeling, as is love, conflict, and the realization that some choices are hard to make. Lauren Gunderson’s newest play, The Heath, makes its world premiere at the Merrimack Repertory Theater. The characters are Gunderson herself, played beautifully by Miranda Barnett, and her Paw-Paw, KD, played by the formidable and likeable George Judy. The Lauren in the play is a Southern transplant musician and writer, who wrestles with the realization that her beloved grandfather is falling further and further into Alzheimer’s disease. As he loses more of his most recent memories, Lauren delves deeper into his personal history. She draws on everything from Shakespeare to Bluegrass to understand the man she thought she knew. She seeks to close the gap between what she needs him to be and who he has become.

Read more “Storm Still in MRT’s “The Heath””