Lauren Groff Inspires in Superb ‘Word for Word’ Treasure

by Mary F. Burns

Who hasn’t wanted to run away and not even tell anyone where you’re going? In Lauren Groff’s “Annunciation,” a young woman, played by the extraordinary Rosie Hallett, recounts her “escape year” after college graduation.

Leaving the East Coast, she climbs into her grandfather’s old Buick and heads West straight to San Francisco. In pure, resonant and often philosophical language, this unnamed narrator (The Woman) stumbles her way into a freer life filled with odd characters, moments of regret, and an immense yearning to simply live.

Rosie Hallett carries the narration even when she’s not speaking, as she confronts harsh realities at her temp job for Child Welfare in Redwood City. Molly Rebekka Benson, as co-worker Anais (as well as several ensemble roles), is a still and deeply burning character, a mysterious presence who eats turmeric by the spoonful and wears castoff clothing. Yet she’s a mother whose fierceness suddenly softens into affection and compassion, deepening the puzzle she appears to be.

The Woman’s elderly landlady, Griselda (Patricia Silver) accepts her as a tenant in a small, fairy-tale cottage on her run-down property in the middle of expensive Mountain View. Portraying Griselda with marvelous, spot-on eccentricity, Silver rocks the house with comic asides and possibly unreliable stories of her adventurous youth. Griselda claims to have been a fashion model, an Andy Warhol actress, and a philosophy teacher at Princeton—all enchantingly portrayed by Monica Rose Slater as the young Griselda. Every word becomes a revelation by the end.

The wall-enclosed property is guarded by a 200-pound mastiff on a chain, played to astonishing effect by Brennan Pickman-Thoon, who also plays other ensemble parts brilliantly, Andy Warhol and David Bowie among them.

Joanne Winter deftly and faultlessly portrays several characters, including the sympathetic and yet distressing mother who has tracked down her daughter after her “escape.” In a remarkable farewell scene, Winter ages visibly as she transforms the mother from a light-hearted, joyful woman who has been having fun in San Francisco to a subdued and careworn creature, hinting at the darker realities at home that her daughter fled.

Superb direction by Joel Mullenix in every scene uses excellent lighting and snatches of music to enhance moments of emotion. Mullennix and designer Kate Boyd evoke a crucial tree in the garden where bees swarm with ingenious staging at every step. They make sure Nature rules.

The meaning of the “Annunciation” of the title is left to us, but it vividly poses moral and metaphysical questions for us to ponder, as youth is overtaken by age and understanding, if not wisdom. Groff hints at paths to take, all of which lead to a nourishing contemplation of life as wonder and grace.

It would be tragedy to miss this work of genius by Word for Word.

“Annunciation” by Lauren Groff, directed by Joel Mullennix, scenic design by Kate Boyd, sound by Drew Yerys, lighting by Jim Cave, costumes by Nolan Miranda, props by Amy Benjamin, by Word for Word, at Z Space, San Francisco. Info: zspace.org – to July 13, 2025.

Cast: Molly Rebekka Benson, Rosie Hallett, Brennan Pickman-Thoon, Patricia Silver, Monica Rose Slater, and Joanne Winter.

Banner photo: “Griselda shows The Woman how to properly care for the cottage.” Brennan Pickman-Thoon, Patricia Silver, & Rosie Hallett. Photos: Jessica Palopoli

 

Mary F. Burns writes historical fiction, including an historical mystery series featuring John Singer Sargent and his friend Violet Paget (Vernon Lee).  As an independent scholar, Mary focuses her studies, writing and conference papers on Singer Sargent, Vernon Lee, Henry James, and Virginia Woolf. She is a member of the Henry James Society, the International Vernon Lee Society, and the Historical Novel Society. BA/MA English Literature Northern Illinois University; J.D. Golden Gate University School of Law. Career: corporate communications and PR; publishing/editing/consulting. Website:  www.maryfburns.com.