Grasses of a Thousand Colors (2009)

Publication

Theatre Communications Group, 2009.

Production

Produced at the Royal Court Theatre, London, 2009; directed by Andre Gregory.
Ben: Wallace Shawn
Cerise: Miranda Richardson
Robin: Jennifer Tilly
Rose: Emily McDonnell
Reviews: New Yorker (Lahr), Guardian (Billington), Variety (Benedict).
Group interview with cast and director (audio).
From the publisher's description:

Grasses of a Thousand Colors is a poetic epic that tells the story of a scientist (Ben), his wife (Cerise), and his two mistresses (Robin and Rose), as they fend for their lives in a world much like ours, yet one savagely close to extinction. Due to the scientific manipulation of the world's crops, a destructive system for which Ben is partly responsible, there is very little nourishment left to be had, except for those most privileged and connected. Despite the dying off of most of the world, these characters manage to survive, at times tasting the good life, admiring the beauties of nature, feasting on animalistic sex, and finding love. The play raises issues of redemption, forgiveness, and responsibility as it recounts a somewhat passionate, erotic adventure story.