In the quiet, remote corners of a cabin in the near future, the fate of humanity and the bonds of sisterhood are set to collide. From April 9 to May 3, 2026, ArtsWest will present Amy Berryman’s Walden, a New York Times Critics’ Pick that explores the intimate friction between two sisters raised to look at the stars.

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The play introduces us to Stella (Porscha Shaw) and her fiancé, Bryan (Josh Kenji Lagager), as they wait for Stella’s estranged twin sister, Cassie (Marena Kleinpeter), to arrive at their secluded home. While both sisters were raised by their astronaut father to become NASA scientists, their paths have diverged sharply: Cassie is returning from a triumphant mission to the moon, while Stella has long since walked away from the space program.

As old conflicts reignite upon Cassie’s arrival, Walden transforms from a family reunion into a "thrilling and engrossing" exploration of humanity's survival. The sisters are forced to grapple with a monumental choice: stay to preserve life on an ailing Earth or abandon the planet to pursue a future among the stars. This central tension highlights what has been described as the "gravitational pulls of duty and desire".

Critics have lauded the production as the "best kind of speculative fiction," noting its ability to balance "the most crucial questions about humanity’s future with the problems of three little people". Under the direction of Mathew Wright, the creative team—including scenic designer Adair MacCormack and lighting designer Trevor Cushman—is tasked with bringing this high-stakes, "hyper-local" yet cosmic drama to life on the ArtsWest stage.

Walden asks its audience to consider how we take care of the world we share, making it a timely reflection on environmental stewardship and personal legacy. As theater-goers prepare for this "unforgettable" experience, they are invited to witness a story that reminds us that sometimes the most difficult journeys aren't across the solar system, but across the kitchen table.

Performance Details:

• Dates: April 9 – May 3, 2026
• Location: ArtsWest
• Cast: Marena Kleinpeter, Josh Kenji Lagager, and Porscha Shaw

Tickets and gift vouchers for the 2025-2026 season are available now, offering a chance to engage with a play that promises to stay with viewers long after the final curtain