World premiere play ‘Mourning Lori’opens tonight at Waldron

A story of both love and loss is taking the stage this month at The John Waldron Arts Center\n“Mourning Lori,” a world premiere play written and directed by Joel Pierson, opens at 8 p.m. tonight. The dramatic play, with a touch of humor, addresses how death and intimate family relationships affect how individuals define themselves.\nThe play is about the Abrams family, who is dealing with the loss of Lori, their mother, played by Dana Dyer Pierson. Middle son David, played by Aaron Moon, is recovering from a post-divorce nervous breakdown and realizes he has a unique ability to communicate with his late mother. David is unsure what his connection signifies and struggles to stay strong for his family during the difficult time.\n“I think this play will speak to anyone who has dealt with family issues, which is everyone,” Pierson said. “Every family’s situation is different, but I am looking for those moments when someone can say ‘I have experienced that.’”\nPierson said he first got the idea to write the play after attending a funeral. He said he started listening to the way people talked at a funeral and became interested in how people interact when somebody has died.\n“It is a very different dynamic, and I wanted to catch that,” Pierson said.\nThough the play deals with serious issues, Pierson said the play is not depressing. \n“There are sad moments, but it’s not a downer,” he said.\nDavid is the one in the family who makes them laugh when they are hurting, Pierson said. Tayla, played by Whitney Christiansen, is the responsible one of his two sisters. Jenn Robison Taylor plays Carolyn, the other sister, and James Behmke plays the father. Although she is dead, Lori is present in several scenes and makes comments as she watches her family’s struggle.\n“I am very lucky to have found a great group of actors that have been faithful to my work,” Pierson said. “It has been very moving and very powerful to see all the pieces come together.”\nPierson, a Bloomington playwright and director, has produced several plays at the Bloomington Playwrights Project and previously directed “Cannibal! The Musical” at the John Waldron Arts Center. “Mourning Lori” is his second full-length play. In addition to producing plays, Pierson is the artistic director of Mind’s Ear Productions, an audio production company, and writes a theater column for The Herald-Times. \nPerformances will be at 8 p.m. tonight through Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday and 8 p.m. Oct. 11 -13. Following tonight’s performance there will be a book signing and an opportunity to meet the playwright. Tickets are available online at www.bloomingtonarts.info and at the door. Tickets are $12 for adults and student, senior and child tickets are $10. The play is suggested for people over the age of 13 because of adult language and themes.