A Note from our Director
Welcome to Sometimes the Rain, Sometimes the Sea! I chose this play because I wanted to tell an old story in a new way, to push the limits of what’s possible in the Black Box, and to celebrate the brilliant work of a contemporary female playwright. Julia Izumi takes Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid and spins it into something completely fresh, funny, and deeply moving.
Our narrator, Dolan, is a storyteller haunted by his own tangled history. He sets out to tell a simple tale of love between Rain Cloud—a character with her head in the clouds and her heart on her sleeve—and a human named Ralmond. But soon, Dolan’s own loves, losses, and struggles sneak in, complicating things. Rain Cloud’s story becomes an echo of Dolan’s, exploring love in all its forms: romantic, obsessive, unrequited, and even self-love. And like all great fairy tales, this one asks what it means to love when life doesn’t follow a script.
I’m so grateful for the magic our production team has brought to this work. Huge thanks to Will, Harrison and Andy for their unwavering commitment and boundless creativity. This play reminds us that sometimes, stories need a little chaos, a little heartbreak, and a little rain. Thank you for being here, and enjoy the show!
– Claire
