Pulitzer prize-winning drama explores compassion & dignity

Submitted

Main Street Productions’ (MSP) final show of the main season is the thought-provoking drama Wit by Margaret Edson, opening May 29 at the Basile Westfield Playhouse, 220 N. Union St.

Directed by Eric Bryant and Becky Schlomann, this story follows Vivian Bearing, Ph.D., a brilliant English professor whose life of strict logic and scholarly intensity is upended by a diagnosis of terminal ovarian cancer. Over the course of her experimental treatment in a hospital oncology unit, Vivian is forced to reassess her life, work, and relationships. In stripping away her defenses, the play reveals a deeply moving portrait of human vulnerability and connection, inviting audiences to reflect on compassion, dignity, and what it truly means to live.

Vivian Bearing’s journey lies at the emotional heart of Wit. Vivian, once known for aggressively probing the metaphysical sonnets of John Donne, now faces mortality. In the sterile hospital setting she encounters unexpected kindness, from a compassionate nurse to memories of lost mentors, which gradually softens her rational exterior. As Vivian finds humor and humanity in her final days, the result is a story that is both wrenching and redemptive.

MSP is honored to bring this powerful play to the community and hopes audiences leave with a renewed sense of empathy and dignity after witnessing Vivian’s transformation in the show. In the brightness and joy of May and early June, why should audiences choose to see “a play about cancer”? Wit invites everyone who watches to consider what truly matters in life. Vivian’s courage and vulnerability in the show remind us of the grace and strength found in compassion, and the show encourages all who see it to live with empathy and dignity.

Performances

Wit will stage May 29 to June 8 at Basile Westfield Playhouse. Show times are evenings at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.

Ticketing information

To purchase tickets, visit BasileWestfieldPlayhouse.org/showstickets. Seating is general admission (first come, first served). All prepaid tickets are nonrefundable. Bring your email confirmation with the barcode for scanning at the theatre. Doors open one hour before the show; house opens 30 minutes before showtime. Latecomers will be seated at the first available break in the performance. For ticketing questions, please email mspboxoffice@yahoo.com.

Special Opening Night offer

Take advantage of the $10 opening night (May 29) special to be among the first to experience this transformative story.

Mark your calendars and be part of this moving journey. Join MSP at the Basile Westfield Playhouse from May 29 to June 8 for Wit, an unforgettable story hailed for its blend of wit and wisdom – an unforgettable theatrical experience that challenges and warms the heart.