A classic family epic written by a couple from Leadville, Bitterbush: A Family Saga chronicles a family on the verge of rupture.

As determined elderly parents visit their daughter at art school, a cast of characters unfolds including an eloquent hitchhiker, eager psychic, obsessive therapist, and a scorned former Olympic volleyball player. Together they encounter a comedy of tarot readings, dairy addiction, therapy, puppet worship, breaking and entering in yak farms. and of course, a Vestival, wherein everyone dresses up in their best vest. The parents have a secret their waiting to reveal. Will the daughter accept her parents or abandon everything for her art?

The play is auto-fiction, which means it draws heavily from real life experiences. It explores such timeless themes as: How does family support us and how do they suffocate us? In what ways do we give family second chances that we would never extend to anyone else? Why is it that family can trigger our deepest wounds and sincerest joys? How do we survive our closest connections?

The authors are local artists who’ve been dating for four years. Bekah Grim is a writer and whitewater raft guide. She has an MFA in Nonfiction Writing from the University of Iowa. Her work has won a Society of Professional Journalists award been published in McSweeney, Seattle Post Intelligencer, the Rumpus, Washington Times, 5280 Magazine, Discover Magazine, and elsewhere. Blue Mooers is a poet, river guide, and dogsledding guide. He has participated in plays, musicals, and a variety of stage productions. They have worked as guides in the valley for ten years. This play is their debut collaborative effort. The run time is approximately one hour.

Please note: This play is not kid-friendly.