4,000 Miles

This Pulitzer prize-nominated play tells the story of Leo, a disconnected 21 year-old boy who has had a number of personal setbacks and a particular tragedy as he cycled across the US to New York, to be with his 90 year-old grandmother, Vera, as he has no-one else to turn to. Vera is a feisty Marxist who is struggling with the challenges of ageing and loss of long-standing friends. Leo and Vera share time together, finding common ground as they reveal painful and sometimes unexpected events in their respective lives. Leo’s girlfriend Becca arrives to break up with Leo, whom she regards as aimless, further adding to his pain. During a brief fling with a young, chirpy, uninhibited but fiercely anti-Communist student, Leo reveals more of his life and family. The bond between Leo and Vera strengthens as they share a further sad event.

This is a poignant and moving story shared across a two-generational gap. It deals with the human condition in a touching and very meaningful way.

This is the premiere Australian non-professional production.