WITTY TALE OF BACKYARD BATTLES EXPLORES RACE, CLASS, AND MORE IN NATIVE GARDENS
By Kiersten Bjork (February 26, 2025)
Native Gardens by playwright Karen Zacarías, playing at the Westport Country Playhouse through March 8, is a witty tale of backyard battles between neighbors that is used to explore the societal divisions resulting from factors such as age, race, and class. Directed by JoAnn M. Hunter and performed by a talented cast, it’s a quick but effective play that wields comedy as a tool to expand upon the social justice discourse presented within.
Native Gardens follows two sets of neighbors as a dispute over a property line turns into an all-out, backyard war. Tania and Pablo, expecting parents, are new to the neighborhood, and they bring with them the desire for a “native garden,” a garden that is defined by plants native to the local area and that doesn’t require the harmful fertilizers and pesticides found in many gardens today. On the other side of the fence are Virginia and Frank, who have been in the neighborhood for decades. Frank’s flower garden (notably not native) is their pride and joy, and when it is revealed that the property line they’ve adhered to for years may not be accurate, the very lives of Frank’s flowers are put in the line of fire. Native Gardens is a humorous exploration of identity and societal expectations, set within the confines of two backyards. The backdrop of a seemingly low stakes squabble between neighbors elevates the underlying topics being explored in a way that is meaningful, allowing the audience to witness the divide across race, class, age, and more through a lens of comedy, clever dialogue, and gardening.
Native Gardens by playwright Karen Zacarías, playing at the Westport Country Playhouse through March 8, is a witty tale of backyard battles between neighbors that is used to explore the societal divisions resulting from factors such as age, race, and class. Directed by JoAnn M. Hunter and performed by a talented cast, it’s a quick but effective play that wields comedy as a tool to expand upon the social justice discourse presented within.
Native Gardens follows two sets of neighbors as a dispute over a property line turns into an all-out, backyard war. Tania and Pablo, expecting parents, are new to the neighborhood, and they bring with them the desire for a “native garden,” a garden that is defined by plants native to the local area and that doesn’t require the harmful fertilizers and pesticides found in many gardens today. On the other side of the fence are Virginia and Frank, who have been in the neighborhood for decades. Frank’s flower garden (notably not native) is their pride and joy, and when it is revealed that the property line they’ve adhered to for years may not be accurate, the very lives of Frank’s flowers are put in the line of fire. Native Gardens is a humorous exploration of identity and societal expectations, set within the confines of two backyards. The backdrop of a seemingly low stakes squabble between neighbors elevates the underlying topics being explored in a way that is meaningful, allowing the audience to witness the divide across race, class, age, and more through a lens of comedy, clever dialogue, and gardening.
Linedy Genao and Anthony Michael Martinez in Native Gardens at Westport Country Playhouse (Carol Rosegg)
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Adam Heller and Paula Leggett Chase in Native Gardens at Westport Country Playhouse
(Carol Rosegg) |
Tania is played by Linedy Genao. She is fierce and opinionated, while also being incredibly open, present, and sympathetic. Genao is one of my favorites to watch in this, as she portrays both sides of Tania beautifully. She gives us strength and softness, defensiveness and compassion, all wrapped up in one.
Anthony Michael Martinez is charming as Tania’s husband, Pablo. He brings a spirited energy in not just his upbeat and joyous moments, but also in his more serious ones. Each of Martinez’s lines is grounded in intention. Genao and Martinez make a strong duo that are entertaining throughout.
Anthony Michael Martinez is charming as Tania’s husband, Pablo. He brings a spirited energy in not just his upbeat and joyous moments, but also in his more serious ones. Each of Martinez’s lines is grounded in intention. Genao and Martinez make a strong duo that are entertaining throughout.
Linedy Genao and Adam Heller in Native Gardens at Westport Country Playhouse (Carol Rosegg)
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Anthony Michael Martinez and Adam Heller in Native Gardens at Westport Country Playhouse (Carol Rosegg)
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Adam Heller is incredibly endearing in the role of Frank. Frank’s cherished flower garden brings him so much joy, and it’s fun to see Heller light up as he waters, prunes, and cares for the many flowers on his half of the stage. Frank is determined to place higher in this year’s garden competition, and Heller balances the fierce and determined competitor with the tender, fatherly side of Frank nicely, giving us a well-rounded performance from start to finish.
Opposite Heller is Paula Leggett Chase as Virginia. Chase nails her portrayal of that stereotypical, grey-haired, upscale, suburban woman. She delivers Virginia’s sharp and witty dialogue with class and poise, while also giving us some wonderfully devious moments too. Chase and Heller play off of each other well and are an enjoyable pair to watch.
Opposite Heller is Paula Leggett Chase as Virginia. Chase nails her portrayal of that stereotypical, grey-haired, upscale, suburban woman. She delivers Virginia’s sharp and witty dialogue with class and poise, while also giving us some wonderfully devious moments too. Chase and Heller play off of each other well and are an enjoyable pair to watch.
Anthony Michael Martinez, Adam Heller, and Linedy Genao in Native Gardens at Westport Country Playhouse (Carol Rosegg)
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Paula Leggett Chase and Adam Heller in Native Gardens at Westport Country Playhouse
(Carol Rosegg) |
Scenic design by Anna Louizos is absolutely gorgeous. The set features the two neighboring homes, porches, and backyards, and Louizos has created an incredibly detailed, intricate space for the actors to play in. The stone and brick of Frank and Virginia’s house, opposite the wood of Tania and Pablo’s, combined with the stunning flowers of Frank’s garden versus the more scraggly, mossy look of Tania’s, creates a very interesting visual, splitting the stage in two.
Lighting designer Charlie Morrison supports Louizos’s design with a primarily natural lighting style. Morrison evokes daylight and nighttime via light and shadow, creating a truly beautiful overall look for the production.
Costumes by designer David C. Woolard are well-suited to the characters, bringing out their traits and personalities even further. I particularly liked the pops of color in Tania’s costumes.
Sound design by John Gromada is solid throughout. I enjoyed the music choices that are used in the intervals between scenes as well as in the background of certain moments. The songs help to add even more layers to the characters and story.
Lighting designer Charlie Morrison supports Louizos’s design with a primarily natural lighting style. Morrison evokes daylight and nighttime via light and shadow, creating a truly beautiful overall look for the production.
Costumes by designer David C. Woolard are well-suited to the characters, bringing out their traits and personalities even further. I particularly liked the pops of color in Tania’s costumes.
Sound design by John Gromada is solid throughout. I enjoyed the music choices that are used in the intervals between scenes as well as in the background of certain moments. The songs help to add even more layers to the characters and story.
Linedy Genao, Anthony Michael Martinez, and Adam Heller in Native Gardens at Westport Country Playhouse (Carol Rosegg)
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Linedy Genao, Adam Heller and Paula Leggett Chase in Native Gardens at Westport Country Playhouse (Carol Rosegg)
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At just 90 minutes with no intermission, Native Gardens is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon or an evening as we head towards spring. The design alone will wow you, and the performers deliver this amusing yet powerful story with grace and skill. Get your tickets for Native Gardens at Westport Country Playhouse now before it closes on March 8.
Native Gardens plays February 18-March 8, 2025, at Westport Country Playhouse in Westport, CT. Learn more and purchase tickets online at westportplayhouse.org/show/native-gardens or by calling the Box Office at (203) 227-4177.
Kiersten Bjork is a professional theatremaker, performer, and reviewer (Connecticut Critics Circle) from Branford, CT.
Native Gardens plays February 18-March 8, 2025, at Westport Country Playhouse in Westport, CT. Learn more and purchase tickets online at westportplayhouse.org/show/native-gardens or by calling the Box Office at (203) 227-4177.
Kiersten Bjork is a professional theatremaker, performer, and reviewer (Connecticut Critics Circle) from Branford, CT.