Leaving Eden | PlayMakers Repertory Company

By Mike Wiley
Music & lyrics by Laurelyn Dossett

Directed by Vivienne Benesch

a North Carolina fable

Acclaimed playwright Mike Wiley returns to PlayMakers with singer-songwriter Laurelyn Dossett to lead us on a musical journey across time, unearthing the cycles of history in a small North Carolina town. In this searing new work, where cotton is king in the 1930s and pork processing keeps the town alive in 2016, black and Latino citizens are the town’s economic backbone past and present. So why do they remain its most vulnerable to violence and hatred? As high-stakes elections loom during both time periods, the young, as ever, have a lot to fight for—and a lot to learn.

WORLD PREMIERE PLAYMAKERS COMMISSION

Special Thanks to UNC-TV for this beautiful behind-the-scenes look at the creation of Leaving Eden

A Peek at our Production

Many thanks to our co-producers:

“[Wiley’s] shows are sophisticated blends of narrative and wit.”
American Theatre
“You will find hardly anyone who has the muse sitting with them more than Laurelyn.”
Joe Newberry, NC Dept of Cultural Resources

AGE RECOMMENDATION

Due to the subject matter, racially-motivated violence, and the use of some racial slurs, we recommend this show for ages 13 and up.

Please be advised, this production contains live, simulated gunshots; water-based haze and fog; and the smoking of both vapor and herbal cigarettes on stage.

RUN TIME

2 hours and 30 minutes, including one 15-minute intermission.

Song Listing

1. “Awake”……………………………………………………………………………………………………..Selah, Ensemble
2. “Roy White Jingle”…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..Roy
3. “I Will Sing Until My Weary Voice is Gone”…………………………………………………….Selah, Maria
4. “Berry Pie in Springtime”…………………………………………………………………………………………Maggie
5. “She Feelin’ You”^*…………………………………………………………………………………Javier, Andre, Tuan
6. “Riot of the Bitter Few”……………………………………………………………………………………………….Selah
7. “Run to the River”………………………………………………………………………………Selah, Maria, Maggie
8. “Change the Tide”…………………………………………………………………………………….Selah, Ensemble
9. “There is a Place On the Road”ˆ…………………………………………………………………….Javier, Selah
10. “Moses”˚…………………………………………………………………………………………………Selah, Ensemble
11. “I Will Sing Until My Weary Voice is Gone (Reprise)………………………………….Miguel, Maria
12. “Leaving Eden”………………………………………………………………………………………………………….Selah

All songs by Laurelyn Dossett except:
^*by Carlos Alcala & Mike WIley
ˆ by Mike Wiley
˚ Traditional

TICKETS AND SHOWTIMES

MON	TUE	WED	THU	FRI	SAT	SUN
		APR 4 7:30p ^P	APR 5 7:30p ^P	APR 6 7:30p ^P	APR 7 7:30p^★	APR 8 2:00p
APR 9	APR 10 7:30p^👌	APR 11 7:30p^🗣	APR 12 7:30p	APR 13 7:30p	APR 14 2:00p ^OC 7:30p	APR 15 2:00p^🗣
APR 16	APR 17 7:30p	APR 18 7:30p	APR 19 7:30p	APR 20 7:30p	APR 21 7:30p	APR 22 2:00p ^¿

MON

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THU

FRI

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APR 4

7:30p ^P

APR 5

7:30p ^P

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7:30p ^P

APR 7

7:30p^★

APR 8

2:00p

APR 9

APR 10

7:30p^👌

APR 11

7:30p^🗣

APR 12

7:30p

APR 13

7:30p

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2:00p ^OC
7:30p

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2:00p^🗣

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2:00p ^¿

P
Preview Night

★
Opening Night

👌
All Access

🗣
Post-Show Discussion

OC
Open-Captioning

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Mindplay

This project is supported in part by an award from the Nation Endowment for the Arts. This project was also supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

Photos

Oct 12 2017

An Award for Playwright Mike Wiley

The UNC-Chapel Hill has awarded playwright Mike Wiley with its Distinguished Alumnus Award, which recognizes alumni who have made outstanding contributions to humanity.

Mike Wiley. Photo by Chris Charles for Creative Silence.

Mar 16 2018

Step Into Those Shoes

Playwright and documentarian Mike Wiley is ever-mindful of history’s echoes. And never more so than in his upcoming new play "Leaving Eden," with music by Laurelyn Dossett.

Mar 27 2018

Getting to "Eden" – Inside the Scene Shop

Get an insider's look at the scenic production process for "Leaving Eden." In Part I, we catch up with scenic designer Jan Chambers and the beginning of the construction process.

Apr 5 2018

Getting to "Eden" – Completing the Illusion

In Part II, we continue our look at the production process for "Leaving Eden," cornering scenic charge Jessica Secrest to learn the secrets of painting one thing to look like another.

Apr 10 2018

Getting to "Eden" – Dressing the Stage

What’s the first thing you’ll notice when you step into the Paul Green Theatre "Leaving Eden"? Stuff—tons and tons of miscellaneous objects lining the perimeter of the stage.

Apr 16 2018

Welcome Home, Mike Wiley

UNC’s newest Distinguished Alumnus returns to PlayMakers for the final piece of a season bookended with productions about life and social disparity in North Carolina.