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Podcast: Desert Oracle Radio
Episode:

Marjorie Prime brings poignant family drama to Theatre 29
Category: Society & Culture
Duration: 00:00:00
Publish Date: 2026-01-23 15:01:25
Description:

I had the pleasure of attending the opening weekend of Theatre 29’s production of Marjorie Prime, directed by Eddie A. Tucker.

The 2015 play by Jordan Harrison was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, with several successful runs around the world before making its Broadway Debut in 2025. Set in the mid-21st Century, it explores the crosshairs between memory, family, and technology. The aging Marjorie struggles to remember elements of the life she lived. She seeks companionship by way of Walter Prime, a specimen of artificial intelligence designed to interact as her late husband. 

Despite having a slim cast of four, the production of Marjorie Prime was bolstered with an impressive set of skilled local actors. Wendy Cohen played the title role convincingly as a beloved, yet flawed woman navigating conflicts between her past and current state of mind. Marjorie’s caretaker is her daughter Tess, played by Sharianne Greer, whose somewhat prickly personality is anchored in skepticism of technology and mortality. Both actresses portrayed the strained mother-daughter dynamics with bittersweet honesty. Kurt Schauppner was charming as Tess’s husband Jon, whose role as an optimist aided both reluctant women in their reluctance to embrace reality. His removal from family trauma was exemplified in the line that he “had a little more room” when comforting his mother-in-law, a relatable sentiment for those caretaking and guiding through generational shifts. The incredibly lifelike role of Walter Prime was played by Kevin A. Hayles, who artfully walked the line of portraying an artificial intelligence specimen rich with memory but devoid of authentic human emotion.

The set and costumes of Marjorie Prime were modern and modest. The entirety of the play takes place in a home living room, thoughtfully detailed with pastel ceramics, kitschy knick-knacks, and a blanket draped over the sitting chair of its title character. These elements set a simple stage on which complicated family dynamics could unfold unfettered. The slightly off-center “waiting room” in which the Primes would remain until called accentuated the ever-looming presence of not only the artificial intelligence roles, but in turn, our resting memories.

Tucker’s production of the drama Marjorie Prime is a thought-provoking exploration of family dynamics as science progresses along with time. In a world that feels increasingly heavy under the weight of artificial intelligence, its themes of aging, technology, and memory as they conflict with love strike as ever poignant.

Marjorie Prime continues its run at Theatre 29 through February 1. Performances run at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday evening, and at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Tickets are available for purchase online at theatre29.org or by calling the Theatre 29 Box Office at 760-361-4151.

The post Marjorie Prime brings poignant family drama to Theatre 29 appeared first on Z107.7 FM Joshua Tree.
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