“To love the beauty of the mistakes….the imperfect.”  Isis Elizabeth, Playwright

In Beneath The Willow Tree, playwright Isis Elizabeth weaves an emotionally rich tapestry that examines the intricacies of familial bonds, generational trauma, and the delicate interplay between tradition and change. Set in the heart of the Louisiana Bayou, the Bordeaux family home becomes both a sanctuary and a battleground for three Black women whose lives, secrets, and desires come crashing together. Expertly directed by Aaron Reese Boseman, this world premiere delivers a gripping, spiritual family drama that hits deeply personal and universal notes.

At the center of the play is Willow Bordeaux, portrayed with emotional nuance by Sierra Coachman, a young woman who returns home from NYU, bringing more than just academic achievements—she’s accompanied by her lifelong friend  Ree, beautifully brought to life by ASH. She has also brought with her a life she’s building beyond her family’s reach. Willow’s return unearths long-buried family secrets, revealing how trauma, often unspoken, festers beneath the surface. As the audience watches Willow grapple with her past and present identities, her journey becomes emblematic of the broader struggle between old traditions and new ways of being.

The heart of Beneath The Willow Tree is the three generations of Bordeaux women, each dealing with the weight of their histories. Yahdina U-Deen, playing the family matriarch Beatrice Bordeaux , offers a towering performance—her stern exterior masking years of sacrifice, grief, and unspoken pain. Her relationship with her daughter Gloria Bordeaux played with an inner strength by Monique Marshaun,  is fraught, tinged with tension but layered with a palpable sense of love and obligation on both sides. Boseman’s direction ensures that the tension never veers into melodrama; instead, it simmers, allowing the emotional stakes to rise naturally, leading to moments of catharsis that feel earned rather than forced.

Also delivering excellent performances are Dylan Rogers, who skillfully portrays both Moses Bordeaux, the loving and enigmatic patriarch of the Bordeaux family, and Dante Ri’chard, Willow's charming and complex love interest. Rogers deftly navigates the dual roles, bringing a commanding presence to Moses while offering vulnerability as Dante. Mayiyah Brown also shines as young Gloria, capturing the innocence and intensity of the family’s earlier struggles with grace and authenticity. Special mention must be given to dialect coach Susan Gosdick, whose meticulous work ensured that the accents were pitch-perfect, seamlessly shifting from generation to generation, adding depth and authenticity to the play's rich Louisiana setting.

The Bayou setting is not just a backdrop; it is a living, breathing presence in the play. The willow tree itself becomes a symbol of both the Bordeaux family’s resilience and the weight of their past. Set design by Kevin Rolfs captures the mystical and haunting atmosphere of the Bayou, with sprawling branches casting long shadows that seem to stretch into the characters' souls. Adding to this immersive environment is Levi Watkins' lighting design, which subtly enhances the eerie and ethereal quality of the Bayou, playing with shadows and light to deepen the mood. Ethan Korvne's soundscape interweaves seamlessly, with whispers of the wind and the distant echoes of ancestral spirits by way of bass and percussion enriching  the play’s spiritual elements, grounding the story in both realism and mysticism.

One of the play’s strongest elements is its exploration of Black womanhood across generations. The conflicts between the Bordeaux women reflect broader themes of identity, legacy, and healing, resonating particularly in today’s world, where conversations about generational trauma and reclamation of self are becoming more prominent. Elizabeth’s writing doesn’t shy away from the pain these women carry, but it also offers them a path to healing—a journey that is messy, complicated, and deeply moving.

Iris Elizabeth and Aaron Reese Boseman are quickly establishing themselves as the future of theater in Chicago. While there's much to praise, a minor critique might be directed at the play's lengthy running time. Although the exceptional writing nearly makes the duration worthwhile, it may feel somewhat prolonged for some audience members. However, any potential concerns about the length are effectively alleviated by the riveting performances and the substantial thematic depth that resonate throughout the production.

Overall, Beneath The Willow Tree is a powerful debut from Isis Elizabeth. With Boseman’s sensitive direction and a cast that brings the Bordeaux family to life with authenticity and passion, the play delivers a potent mix of raw emotion, spiritual reflection, and the hard-earned path toward healing. A must-see for those who appreciate deeply human stories with cultural resonance.

Highly Recommended

When: Through September 29
Where: The Den Theatre 1331 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago,
Tickets: $25-$45
Info: www.pulsetheatrechicago.org  (773)697-3830
Running time: 2 hours and 30 minutes with one intermission