American rusałki

Set in 1830’s rural Rhode Island, American Rusałki is a play-with-music exploring the ramifications of an act that occurred 100 years prior: the drowning of two Polish immigrants, Bronisława and Wioletta, in the Blackstone River. The murders, which turned the women into rusałki (siren-like figures, forced to spend eternity seeking revenge on unsuspecting men), also unleashed an evil upon the town and its citizens who have lived there since.

Among these citizens are 50-year old Margaret, who has made a deal with the rusałki in order to have a child; Jack, her much younger husband, whose insecurities are preventing him from supporting his wife when their child grows sick; Esther, the daughter of a rich businessman, set to marry Margaret’s abusive ex-husband before he mysteriously disappeared; and Thomas, a 15-year old who falls under the spell of a mysterious figure in the woods, leading to their untimely demise. At the same time, the Traveling Physician has arrived in town, and it sure seems like he is up to no good…

Steeped in themes of immigration, Christianity, and folklore, American Rusałki ultimately asks, ”What are you willing to Sacrifice for those you Love?”