BPP’s ‘Empty Sky’ filled with questions

When playwright Sarah Treem wrote “Empty Sky” she asked herself one question: “What kind of god would ask a father to kill his son?”\n“I always start writing a play with a question. I want the audience to leave the theater thinking about the questions,” Treem said. \nTreem’s latest play will cover difficult topics like family, faith and forgiveness. Director Richard Perez said the play covers tough issues that speak to people of all ages.\n“The play speaks in a language that often teeters between the poetic and gritty,” said Perez in a press release. “And it’s (the play) not afraid to ask big questions about our personal search for faith and spirituality and how we come to terms with the mistakes we have made in the past.”\n“Empty Sky” tells the story of a rabbi named Abraham and the turmoil his family faces when a boy shows up claiming to be his son from an affair he had with an Arab woman 20 years earlier. \nThe play is a modern interpretation of the biblical story in which God asks Abraham to kill his only son.\nTreem said this play is also focused the structure of families.\n“This story is about fathers and sons. It is about what makes a family,” Treem said. “It deals with issues of faith. I think it appeals to everyone.”\nPerez said preparation for the play has been both difficult and easy.\n“We didn’t approach it differently than any other play,” Perez said. “But it was challenging because it has such beautiful, poetic language.”\n“Empty Sky” was selected by the Bloomington Playwright’s Project for the Riva Shiner Full-Length Play Contest from more than 300 submissions, said Sonja Johnson, director of development. The plays are from a variety of genres and are read by the selection committee. Johnson said that the committee looks for plays that the audience will enjoy.\n“We accept all kinds of plays,” Johnson said. “We are always looking for a wonderful play.”\nPerez assisted in the selection of the play.\n“I read it three years ago when it was a finalist in the competition. In our old space we did not have room for it. When we moved I encouraged her to enter again.” Perez said.\nTreem, who wrote this play while attending Yale University, has only seen her play performed at a Yale workshop and will be attending Friday’s performance. \nTreem began writing at a young age. She was influenced by the plays she attended with her grandmother.\n“I started writing plays when I was 12; it was a way for me to deal with angst,” she said. “I didn’t make the decision to be a playwright; it is a profession that chooses you.”\nThis coming year Treem’s plays will be performed across the country.\n“Next year will be a big year for me. I have plays opening up in New York, Portland and L.A.” she said.\nPlays selected for the award have never been produced commercially. This will be the first time that the play is performed in a theater.\nPerez is excited about the cast and the play.\n“I think we have a great cast,” Perez said. “I think the play has something for all ages – high school, college and older folks.”\n“Empty Sky” will run at 8 p.m. this Thursday through Saturday, March 29 through 31 and April 5 through 7. Matinee performances will be held at 2 p.m. March 25 and April 1. The Bloomington Playwright Project is located at 107 W. Ninth St. Tickets are $15 for general admission, $12 for students and seniors. Student rush tickets will be available for $5 five minutes before showtime. For more information, visit http://www.bloomingtonplays.org.