The Syringa Tree

The Syringa Tree is a solo performance memory play of a childhood under apartheid, written and often performed by Pamela Gien, and directed by Larry Moss.[1][2] It was produced by Matt Salinger, son of writer, J. D. Salinger.[3]

Synopsis

The play is set in apartheid-era South Africa, told through the eyes of a young white girl named Elizabeth Grace. The play, which spans four generations, explores the complex relationships between a white family and their Black nanny, Salamina, and their community, revealing the injustices and humanity of the time through a child's perspective.[4]

Production

The play debuted in Seattle, WA. It later opened at the Playhouse 91 intimate theater in Yorkville, Manhattan in Fall 2000.[3] The Manhattan reception was lukewarm at first, but news of Gien's performance soon garnered attention, drawing the interest of celebrities such as Oprah and Rosie O'Donnell.[3]“The San Francisco Chronicle praised her performance as ‘breathtakingly versatile, superb, graceful, emotionally generous, impressive,’ while The Washington Post noted that ‘every moment with this gifted young actress feels special.’”[5]

It won an Obie Award for Best Play in 2001.[6]

Gien often performs the play herself, portraying over twenty characters, and has also adapted it into a nove Gien has adapted the play into a novel.[3]

Awards and nominations

2000 Off-Broadway production

Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2001 Obie Award Best Play Won [7]
Drama Desk Award Outstanding Solo Performance Pamela Gien Won [8]
Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding Solo Performance Won [9][10]
Drama League Award Distinguished Production of a Play Nominated [11]

References

  1. ^ The Syringa Tree – Off Broadway Archived 2006-05-28 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ Past Productions: The Syringa Tree
  3. ^ a b c d Gray, Paul (6 August 2006). "'The Syringa Tree,' by Pamela Gien". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
  4. ^ "The Syringa Tree by Pamela Gien". Penguin Random House. Retrieved 3 January 2026.
  5. ^ "The Syringa Tree". American Repertory Theater. Retrieved 3 January 2026.
  6. ^ "Gin Hammond and Eva Kaminsky Climb The Syringa Tree on National Touring, Bowing Oct. 9". Playbill. 29 July 2002. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
  7. ^ "2001 Obie Awards". Obie Awards. Retrieved 3 January 2026.
  8. ^ Jones, Kenneth; Simonson, Robert (20 May 2001). "2001 Drama Desk Winners Include Producers, Proof and Mnemonic". Playbill. Retrieved 3 January 2026.
  9. ^ "2000–2001 Outer Critics Circle Awards". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved 3 September 2025.
  10. ^ Simonson & Lefkowitz (24 May 2001). "2001 Outer Critics Circle Awards Held at Sardi's, May 24". Playbill. Retrieved 3 September 2025.
  11. ^ "Drama League Awards: 2001". AboutTheArtists.com. Retrieved 3 January 2026.
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