By Sarah Ruhl
Directed by Anne Kauffman
Peet's Theatre · Dec 12, 2019-Jan 26, 2020
World premiere

A world premiere by one of Berkeley Rep’s beloved playwrights

“Once upon a time people thought the devil explained everything. Then a hundred years later they thought sex explained everything. And now? They think statistics explain everything. Numbers. But numbers don’t explain anything. Numbers didn’t explain the election, did they? Sorry, I didn’t mean to bring that up.”

Out of work and out of love, Becky Nurse is an ordinary but strong-willed grandmother just trying to get by in post-Obama America. She’s also the great-great-great-great-great-granddaughter of Rebecca Nurse, who was infamously executed for witchcraft in 1692 – but things have changed for women since then, haven’t they? Desperate to raise her troubled teenaged granddaughter right, and also hook up with an old flame, Becky visits a local witch for help. But those spells and potions don’t work out exactly as planned.

The latest play from Tony-nominated Sarah Ruhl, Becky Nurse of Salem speaks to the trials and triumphs of women today – and is also a comedic, warmhearted story about trying to do the right thing in a chaotic world.

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Berkeley Rep offers an advisory about any stage effect of potential concern to patrons’ health. We will provide this information as soon as it’s available. We don’t offer unsolicited content advisories as sensitivities vary from person to person. If you have concerns about content or themes, we are happy to provide details. Please call our box office at 510 647–2949 or email info@berkeleyrep.org.