Make Believe Tickets

Make Believe is a hauntingly beautiful play that is set in a spacious attic with wide windows. It is a thought-provoking comedy that is performed by children in the first part of the show. This is an extremely effective way to portray profound ideas in a disarming fashion. Laden with the flavor of regret, the play peers deeply at issues regarding family and the trauma associated with families, the bonds between siblings that may not be as strong as one believes. It is a play that is tailored especially for mature audiences.

It features a stellar cast with Ryan Foust from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Brad Heberlee from Mrs. Murray’s Menagerie,Susannah Flood from the Cherry Orchard, Kim Fischer from Then She fell, Harrison Fox from Hansel and Gretel, Samantha Mathis from 33 Variations, and Meren Heary from Gypsy.

The Story

When one hears ‘make-believe’, it is certain to incite feelings of joy and certain silliness. This play, however, is anything but silly. It is a sensational performance that showcases the story of four Conlee children. When do the lines between real life and make-believe get blurred? For these kids, aged 5 to 10, playtime is over when their parents disappear without a trace. Their search for answers still has no closure after thirty-two years. The 90-minute play is split into two parts. The first part depicts the story of Kate, Chris, Addie and Carl, when they were kids, and is performed completely by children. The second part shows the children after they have grown up during the 1980s. This portion of the play is set in the same house as the first part, allowing the play to highlight how the four have handled their emotions after a traumatizing childhood.

Good For

Adult Audiences | Lovers of Mystery Stories

Critic Reviews

“This beautifully constructed play — a regret-tinged examination of family and trauma and sibling connections that maybe, back in those formative years, were not forged solidly enough — is emphatically for adults.”

• New York Times

“'Make Believe' At Hartford Stage Moves From Magical To Unnerving”

• Hartford Courant