Rooted

UNLEASH THE POWER!

Bramble Theatre Company is concluding its 2025 season with "ROOTED," a 90-minute queer romantic comedy by Ben F. Locke. Ben is a Black and queer nonbinary Chicago writer, sharing stories for his community and beyond! In the theater world, Ben takes on multiple roles as a writer, actor, director, and producer. His writing credits include "Rooted," "Death to Tp," "Remembrance," "Following," "Even," "Resignation," and "Bad Boyfriend," among others. Rooted explores everyday situations through the lenses of witchcraft, grief, and sisterhood. This world premiere production, filled with charm and magical spells, is perfectly timed for Halloween. 'Tis the season for BIPOC witches! If you're not familiar with the term, BIPOC stands for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. It refers to witches who practice spiritual and magical traditions based on their ancestral heritage, including African and Indigenous cultures, as well as other non-European traditions. Locke introduces us to three sister witches, each with unique powers and divergent personalities: Merna (Stephanie Shum), Vengeful and pragmatic; Bailey (Aja Singletary), the Peacekeeper and healer; and Kassie (Kylie Anderson), Questioning her commitment. Together, they harness their magical abilities to protect their cherished ancestral home from being sold. The house, steeped in memories, is on the verge of being sold by their heartbroken father, who is still mourning the loss of his beloved wife. The potential new owner is a retro musician named Anthony, who lives just above with his girlfriend.

The father cast a dangerous spell that could limit their powers and locked away the family's books on powerful "Dark Magic." He insists that they practice only "Good Magic," also known as "White Magic." The three sisters need help to prevent the sale of their ancestral home; it will take the strength of sisterhood to unite. However, they will need access to the Dark Magic book to achieve their goal. So, what would modern-day witches do when their magical powers are not enough and when the family's new neighbor interrupts their plans to stop the potential sale of their home? They have a 'Resurrection Ritual' that summons a dead witch from the 17th century, with a more aggressive approach. The trio resurrects the ancient witch Isobel (Gabriela Diaz) from their coven to add her powerful philosophy of magic to their modern defensive magic. However, conflict is on the horizon when old and new magical practices collide, and the decision is made to make sacrifices to save their family legacy and home. Adding to their already problematic situation with Isobel, a romantic connection between the younger sister, Kassie, and the man buying the house, sister Ryan (Haley Bolithon), further complicates matters. The entanglement with Ryan's innocent intrusion represents the outside world of non-magic and the family's protective inside world. Ryan's presence poses a threat to their plan, forcing them to consider a different approach to stopping the sale. The cast and creative team brought magic to the stage with "Rooted," a lighthearted story about siblings navigating different personalities and the complexities of good and evil. Kudos to Director Carol Ann Tan, scenic designer Delena Bradley, and costume designer Ophena de la Rosa for bringing Locke's vision to life and expanding the spectrum of characters on stage at Bramble Arts Loft. I enjoyed the storyline of "Rooted," which follows sisters trying to bond amidst their world of magical chaos. Whether you're a witch or simply a mortal, grief over a loved one can affect each person differently, bringing out either the best or the worst in us. You don't always need a large theater to experience a heartwarming story. Even with spells and potions, Bramble Theatre expanded the space with a wonderfully engaging production!

⭐⭐⭐

Bramble Theatre Company

Rooted

By Ben F. Locke

Directed by Carol Ann Tan

October 9 – November 2, 2025

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