What if Shakespeare’s most tragic heroines could speak for themselves — not just in death, but in defiance? That’s the provocative premise at the heart of Our Ladies of Sorrow, Romeo Maybrier’s haunting and poetic reimagining of classic characters trapped in a liminal purgatory. Featured as the centerpiece of Full Circle Players’ festival of new works in Riverside, opening this weekend at The Box Theater, this emotionally rich production gives voice to five of the Bard’s silenced women, reclaiming their stories with stunning clarity and grace.

Directed by Wendi Johnson, Our Ladies of Sorrow brings together Ophelia, Desdemona, Juliet, Cordelia, and Lavinia in a liminal space outside the action of their original plays. Here, they confront not only their own trauma, but the cycles of tragedy imposed upon them by literary history. Maybrier’s script deftly gives each woman the chance to speak what Shakespeare never allowed, transforming their pain into a shared act of resistance and solidarity. In this imagined purgatory, they await the next call back to the stage — summoned each time a new production of their play begins. Lavinia, in particular, reveals her fear of the long, lonely stretches when the others are away performing and she is left behind, as her play is seldom staged anymore.

Among the strong ensemble cast, Sarah Gibbon’s performance as Lavinia is particularly unforgettable. Tasked with beginning the play without a tongue and without hands, Gibbon conveys an astonishing range of raw emotion using only her body and expression. It’s a harrowing but magnetic opening that sets the tone for the play’s exploration of silenced voices. When Lavinia's tongue is restored later in the play, Gibbon unleashes a powerful and cathartic performance, embodying the reclaiming of agency that lies at the heart of Our Ladies of Sorrow.

The ensemble cast shines in their portrayal of Shakespeare’s heroines, each grappling with the circumstances of their death and the betrayals that led them there. Janette Valenzo’s Ophelia captures both fragility and simmering defiance, reflecting on the madness that consumed her and the abandonment by those she loved. Celina Rong as Desdemona brings grace and quiet strength, her presence anchoring the group even as she remains deeply in love with her husband, Othello, despite his role in her death. Meriam Shams gives Juliet a pulse of youthful energy and urgency, as she wrestles with the naivety and passion that led to her tragic end. Avery Graham-Howard offers Cordelia a steady, dignified resilience as she regrets sacrificing her authentic self to be the dutiful daughter who was never enough to please her father. Together, these performers create a rich tapestry of intersecting voices that elevate the production’s emotional resonance.

Johnson’s direction carefully balances moments of stillness and intensity, allowing space for each character’s emotional arc while maintaining a cohesive ensemble dynamic. The staging is minimal but effective, focusing attention on the actors' physicality and voice. The result is a production that feels both intimate and urgent, inviting the audience into a collective reckoning with the stories we inherit and the ones we choose to retell.

While Our Ladies of Sorrow is the festival’s featured play, Full Circle Players has curated an eclectic mix of new works that complement its themes. Caveat by Mawce Dunn offers a biting satire on art and capitalism, while Coolwater by Rory O’Neill traces intergenerational connections among women. Damian Alejandro Arteaga’s Super Duper Happy Immigrant Funtime Land skewers the commodification of immigrant narratives with dark humor, and Kevin Arnold’s The Frog is Dead reimagines Aristophanes with a modern, absurdist twist.

Tickets for the festival are available now, with flexible options to suit every theatre lover. Audiences can purchase a festival pass for just $22.00, granting access to all of the plays in the lineup, or opt for an à la carte experience at $10.00 per play. For ticket purchases and more information, visit Full Circle Players at www.fullcircleplayers.com. To stay updated and connected, follow them on Instagram (@fullcircleplayers1), Facebook (Full Circle Players), and TikTok (fullcircleplayers1).

Performance times for Our Ladies of Sorrow are 7:30 p.m. on May 8 and 10, and 8:10 p.m. on May 9. The full festival schedule includes Caveat at 7:00 p.m. on May 9, Coolwater at 3:30 p.m. on May 10, Super Duper Happy Immigrant Funtime Land at 4:45 p.m., and The Frog is Dead at 6:00 p.m., all leading up to the final performance of Our Ladies of Sorrow that evening.

Full Circle Players continues to solidify its role as a vital cultural force in Riverside, championing diverse voices and fostering new theatre. Their commitment to equity, education, and audience engagement is palpable throughout the festival. As they prepare for their next project — a touring production of Romeo and Juliet this summer — they remind us that theatre can be both a mirror to our past and a beacon toward a more inclusive future.