The Secret Language of Roots: Winter’s Bench Explores Our Fading Connection to the Natural World

Olivier Award-winning playwright Mike Kenny returns to the 24th Street Theatre with a lyrical world premiere exploring nature and memory.

Trees do not stand alone. They talk to each other through hidden networks underground. This profound, biological truth of nature’s hidden connections serves as the foundational theme for the world premiere of Winter’s Bench at the 24th Street Theatre. Written by top British playwright Mike Kenny, the story looks at how people are losing touch with the earth. The play follows Gladys, an older woman played by acclaimed actress Anne Gee Byrd. She goes back to a park with just one old tree, hoping to hear it speak to her one last time like it did when she was a child.

A Lyrical Meditation on Resilience

The production is described as a “lyrical and deeply human” meditation on nature, aging, and hope, blending storytelling and imagination with live music. Joining Byrd onstage is flutist Shih-wei Wu, whose live performance creates an evocative atmosphere featuring the work of composer Bradley Brough. This artistic vision is brought to life by a veteran creative team that includes scenic designer Keith Mitchell, video designer Matthew G. Hill, lighting designer Dan Weingarten, sound designer Nick Foran, and costume designer Shannon Kennedy.

Director Debbie Devine notes that the tree represents resilience, endurance, and the possibility that something lasting can still speak to us even as forests disappear and loneliness increases. This production marks the third collaboration between the theater and Mike Kenny, following the success of his previous works, Walking the Tightrope and Rapunzel Alone.

Rooted in the Community

The 24th Street Theatre, located in a converted carriage house in L.A.’s West Adams historic district, is nationally recognized for pairing professional theater with deep community engagement. Serving more than 10,000 people annually, including families and unhoused neighbors, the theater ensures this production is accessible by featuring Spanish supertitles at all performances. Because storytelling is seen as a primary way to pass on wisdom and create community, the play is specifically recommended for audiences ages 7 and older, inviting the next generation to consider what we lose when we stop listening to nature and one another.

Performance Schedule and Ticket Information

Performances of Winter’s Bench run from September 5 through October 25 at 1117 West 24th St., Los Angeles. Regular shows take place Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m., with special Pay-What-You-Can performances offered on Monday, September 7, and Monday, September 14, at 8 p.m.. Standard tickets range from $10 to $24, and interested patrons can find more information or purchase tickets by visiting 24thstreet.org or by calling (213) 745-6516. Under the production of Jay McAdams, the play stands as a gathering place for those seeking both cultural enrichment and a reminder of the stories that shape us.