Berkeley Repertory Theatre's latest premiere, The Thing About Jellyfish, portrays the poignant journey of 12-year-old Suzy Swanson as she navigates the grief of losing a friend in a swimming accident. Blaming jellyfish for the tragedy, Suzy embarks on a project to understand their nature while confronting complex themes of acceptance and loss. Adapted from a bestselling novel by Ali Benjamin and written by Keith Bunin, the play resonates across generations and emphasizes authentic middle school experiences, bringing the charming yet painful interior world of children to light as the actors contribute to the adaptation's development.
The play focuses on the spunky, thoughtful Suzy Swanson, a 12-year-old who has recently learned of her friend's death in a swimming accident. She blames this tragedy on the play's titular creature and embarks on a research project to uncover its true nature.
Matilda Lawler, who plays Suzy, shared her admiration for Ali Benjamin's book, stating, 'I'd never read a book that took the interior life of a 12-year-old so seriously.'
The new play, adapted from a bestselling novel, resonates with audiences across generations, evoking laughter and tears through its exploration of grief and acceptance.
The development of the play involved input from child actors, ensuring it authentically represents the middle school experience by capturing both the chaos of classes and young emotional journeys.
Collection
[
|
...
]