Playwright Young Jean Lee delves into the depths of mortality and grief in her play "Lear," inspired by her own experience processing her father's illness. Having spent a decade studying Shakespeare before venturing into experimental theater, Lee chose to explore the theme of loss through her favorite play, King Lear. By narrating the story through the eyes of Lear's and Gloucester's descendants, Lee unveils the emotional turmoil faced by those who turn away from their fathers, unraveling the complexities of guilt, confusion, love, and hate. In grappling with these profound concepts, Lee emphasizes the universal journey of growing up to comprehend the cyclical nature of life.

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In our interpretation of "Lear," we aimed to give voice to King Lear's daughters, who were silent in Shakespeare's original. Drawing inspiration from Jane Smiley's novel "A Thousand Acres," we explored the daughters' justification and subsequent guilt for banishing their father. We acknowledged the trauma they endured and recognized the necessity of their troubled pasts in shaping their identities. Lee, drawing from the spirit of adolescence within us all, observed how these characters, while facing adult circumstances, exhibit childlike behaviors as they navigate through loss. Referencing Sesame Street's educational episode on grief, Lee underscores the universality of grief and loss, weaving a narrative that resonates with modern audiences. "Lear" invites spectators to witness the intimate and diverse manifestations of grief, highlighting its impact on the parent-child dynamic and how it shapes one's perception of the world.