Name: Ugly Lies The Bone
Start: 2015-09-10 00:00:00
End: 2015-12-06 00:00:00
Location: Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre

"A bracing drama that confronts an achingly topical issue with hardheaded honesty and admirable compassion. Lindsey Ferrentino is a brave playwright and a writer of dauntless conviction."

Charles Isherwood, the new york times

Roundabout Underground delivers its latest world premiere as Ugly Lies the Bone takes to the stage. Written by acclaimed emerging playwright Lindsey Ferrentino, Ugly Lies the Bone is the first-ever recipient of the Laurents/Hatcher Foundation’s Special Citation of Excellence.

Newly discharged soldier Jess (Mamie Gummer, Ricki and the Flash) has finally returned to her Florida hometown. She brings with her not only vivid memories of her three tours in Afghanistan, but painful burns that have left her physically and emotionally scarred. Jess soon realizes that things at home have changed even more than she has. Through the use of virtual reality video game therapy, she builds a breathtaking new world where she can escape her pain. As Jess advances farther in the game, she begins to restore her relationships, her life and, slowly, herself.

A timely new drama directed by Patricia McGregor (Brownsville Song: B-Side for Tray at LCT3), Ugly Lies the Bone shows that no matter how much life may ask us to endure, what truly matters is finding the strength to survive—and to heal.

"Mamie Gummer is extraordinary."
Jesse Green, new york magazine

A white man in a Hawaiian shirt and blue jeans. He has brown hair and a very thick beard and eyebrows. — Haynes Thigpen
Photo by Joan Marcus

In a living room with a foral sofa and a wall full of photographs, two women hug on the couch while another holds one of their hands. — Karron Graves, Mamie Gummer, and Caitlin O'Connell
Photo by Joan Marcus

A man and a woman touch foreheads under soft, snowy lighting. The man wears a rainbow striped vest over a t-shirt and jeans. The woman wears a hair scarf over short hair, a t-shirt, and sweatpants. — Chris Stack and Mamie Gummer
Photo by Joan Marcus

A woman wears a casual dress and tan fabric over her arms and legs. Her shoulder, chest, and face reveal scars from severe burns. Her hair is wrapped up in a scarf. — Mamie Gummer
Photo by Joan Marcus

Two women sit together on a floral sofa, with many photos on the wall behind them. One woman has long hair and a striped shirt. The other has her hair covered by a hair scarf and wears a sling. — Karron Graves and Mamie Gummer
Photo by Joan Marcus

A man in a graphic tee stands by a softa, half draped in a quilt. He holds a small radio. On the coffee table next to him is a six pack of beer. — Chris Stack
Photo by Joan Marcus

Kacie: Karron Graves
Jess: Mamie Gummer
Voice/Their Mom: Caitlin O'Connell
Stevie: Chris Stack
Kelvin: Haynes Thigpen

Playwright: Lindsey Ferrentino
Director: Patricia McGregor
Set Design: Tim Brown
Costume Design: Dede Ayite
Lighting Design: Jiyoun Chang
Sound Design: Jessica Paz
Projections: Caite Hevner Kemp
Prosthetics: Vincent T. Schicchi & Thomas Denier Jr.
Wig Design: Cookie Jordan

Ugly Lies the Bone plays off-Broadway at the Black Box Theatre at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre through December 6, 2015. All tickets to Roundabout Underground shows are $25.

Immediately following the performance, audience members are invited to experience the virtual reality technology that inspired the play. More information.

Major support for Ugly Lies the Bone is provided by Jodi and Dan Glucksman.

Lindsey Ferrentino’s Ugly Lies the Bone and Roundabout Theatre Company are recipients of a Special Citation of Excellence from The Laurents/Hatcher Foundation.

Roundabout’s work with new and emerging playwrights and directors, as well as development of new work, is made possible by Katheryn Patterson and Tom Kempner.

We gratefully acknowledge the Roundabout Leaders for New Works: Alec Baldwin, Linda L. D'Onofrio, Peggy and Mark Ellis, Jodi Glucksman, Sylvia Golden, Judith and Douglas Krupp, K. Myers, Laura Pels International Foundation for Theater, Lauren and Danny Stein, Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust, Yolanda R. Turocy, Lori Uddenberg, and Xerox Foundation.