The Playground
A one-woman play with voices
Written & Directed by Jim Dalglish
How much of your integrity would you sacrifice for a life of wealth and privilege? The Playground follows Joan — former professor, new mother, displaced to New York — as she navigates a world of hedge funds, ambition, and the moral compromises each of us makes in Trump's America.
Two Nights Only — Then bound for New York
A year and a half ago, The Playground had its premiere on Cape Cod. Now it's been selected for the United Solo Theatre Festival in New York City — and it's back on its feet this fall before its Off-Broadway debut.
This is a limited run for two nights only at The Art House in Provincetown. This is your chance to see the show up close before it heads to 42nd Street. Don't miss it.
About the Play
The play follows the life of a former college professor named Joan — a mother of a four-year-old boy who has moved to New York to follow her mathematician husband after he takes a job at a hedge fund. The story is told from her perspective as she remembers her life in New York, her brushes with a life of wealth and privilege, and the decision she makes that will forever alter the course of her life and the lives of those around her.
The audience sees the world from her perspective and hears the voices of the people she encounters during her sojourn to New York. She shares her story in an attempt to understand the choices she makes as she looks for a way to gain some sort of redemption.
Selected for the United Solo Theatre Festival
Helltown Players is thrilled to announce that The Playground has been selected as an official presentation of the United Solo Theatre Festival™ — an annual international festival for solo performances held at Theatre Row in the heart of New York City's theatre district on 42nd Street.
United Solo celebrates the uniqueness of the individual through one-person performances from around the world, exploring foreign cultures, diverse traditions, and the perspectives of people from all walks of life. Productions are selected from openly solicited submissions and presented to New York audiences and industry professionals alike.
Reviews for The Playground…
Audience and critical reaction to Jim Dalglish’s The Playground:
“…the most intense 100 minutes of your life…” — Cape Cod Times
“Botsford is one of the most incredible actors I have ever seen and I found myself in awe of her… It is a must watch…” — Cape Cod Times
“Ms. Botsford earned a well-deserved standing ovation on opening night. Mr. Dalglish’s play will leave you thinking well after the theater lights come back up.” — The Enterprise
“Deeply written, masterfully expressed. Brava… Bravo, Anna, Jim, and All!” — Celeste Howe
“In the hands of the extremely talented Anna Botsford, I was captivated, engaged in every breath, and profoundly moved.” — Donna Wresinski
“Incredibly moving, enthralling and insightful show… The extraordinary talents of playwright and actor make this a really, really exceptional experience.” — Bill Farrell
See It at The Art House — Two-Night Limited Run
The Playground is presented in partnership with the The Art House. We're delighted to bring the production to this exciting venue in the heart of Provincetown.
Running time: 110 minutes, no intermission.
The Art House
214 Commercial St,, Provincetown, MA 02657
Map
Performance
Friday, October 23, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Saturday, October 24, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Tickets: $40 General Admission · $30 Students & Under 18 · $20 Helltown Members · $20 Card to Culture Members
Cast:
Anna Botsford stars as Joan
Joan - Anna Botsford
Voices:
Will - Zack Johnson
Billy - Michael Becrelis
Ashley - Sara Bleything
Cyrus - Shepard Potash
Gracia - Natalia Molina Marín
Anthropology Professor - Janet Geist Moore
Britney #1 - Samantha McMahon
Britney #2 - Missy Potash
Britney #3 - Susanna Creel
Man’s Voice - Eli Woods
Roger - Sawyer Potash
Roger’s Mother - Kristen Winn
Little Girl - Fiona Botsford
Professor’s Daughter #1 - Karin Henderson
Professor’s Daughter #2 - Kelly Rowen
Professor’s Daughter #3 - Emma Engelsen
Gracia’s Mother - Luz Adriana Marín
Designers:
Original music composed and performed by Eli Woods
Projections designed, filmed, and edited by Jim Dalglish
Special thanks to:
Katherine & Demetrius Becrelis
Rob Phelps
The play is dedicated to Julie Balamut for her advice and wisdom concerning grace and living a compassionate and empathetic life.
Purchase Tickets…
The Merc Playhouse Production…
A special thanks and acknowledgment to Don Nelson, Jamie Petitto and The Merc Playhouse in Twisp, Washington, for their wonderful production of The Playground on January 30 through Feb. 1, 2026. Don’s direction was superb and Jamie was absolutely breathtaking in the role of Joan. Wonderful theatre… incredible community.
Show Sponsors / Partners:
Cape Cod 5
The Art House