When Skies Are Gray

This is an incredibly effective, emotional piece of theater. The story is told in snippets as a daughter visits her dying mother in hospice care. The simple structure makes the situation feel harshly authentic and invites the audience to relate the process to their own experiences. By the end, this feels less like a play and more like an actual real-life experience. There is no simple, strong narrative that unfolds here. You get glimpses into these women’s lives as days pass one by one. The focus is on the process of death which is unpredictable and sometimes complicated. ... full review

In a brief hour in this small room, Steed’s artwork takes us far, on journeys deep into our own lives — our fiercest loves and losses, our unspoken fears, our regrets. Ghosts fill the space, charging the air with emotion and meaning. We are fortunate to have this “professional make believer” (as Steed describes herself) making her art in our city. And fortunate that she can find such fine collaborators. An experience like no other at Fringe. Or anywhere.... full review

One of the best shows I've seen in 9 years at Hollywood Fringe, and a Top 10 Theatrical Experience of my lifetime, for sure. Steed could teach a masterclass in making the personal universal. This show embraces the theatrical medium at its highest potential, creating a truly visceral, cathartic, and invigorating experience. I wish more creators could witness and be inspired by the piece, and hope they find a supportive home for an extended run beyond the festival. ... full review

There’s always advice to writers of “write what you know”. “When Skies Are Gray” was written by Ashley Steed after her mother’s death. This show is a recount of the days leading up to her mother’s passing and all of the things she had to deal with. You can see the love, admiration, and selflessness that Ashley gives to her mother, even when it seems her mother might not be her usual self.... full review