About Little Children Dream of God

The new play Little Children Dream of God begins previews this week at Roundabout Underground's Black Box Theatre.

I'm so happy to be adding Jeff Augustin to the roster of playwrights who have seen their work premiere with us at Roundabout Underground. Jeff is truly an exciting talent to be introducing to New York audiences. With this play, he has created a beautifully complete world that feels both utterly real and surprisingly fantastical, in which paying the rent can contain as much drama as floating hundreds of miles on only a tire. And we believe in this world because Jeff has populated it with rich and compelling characters whose dreams both big and small will stay with you.

Jeff began to write Little Children Dream of God after talking to his mother about her experience moving their family from her native Haiti to Florida before Jeff was born. The care with which Jeff has conjured both Haiti and its traditions is evident on every page of the script. He takes us deep into questions about the immigrant experience, about what it means to leave a culture behind, about what we gain and lose when deciding to be "American." But he's also crafted a powerful story above love and the particular love that a parent has for a child. Most movingly, Jeff asks us to consider not just what a parent can give to a child but what that child owes in return, no matter their age. What will our legacy be?

One legacy that I know will live on is that of our dear friend James Rebhorn. Jim passed away in 2014 shortly after completing performances in Meghan Kennedy's Too Much, Too Much, Too Manyat Roundabout Underground. He was a great talent and a true gentleman. Everyone at Roundabout feels so honored to have been a part of his final work, in a play that he took great pride in bringing to life. We would like to dedicate this season of Roundabout Underground performances to the memory of Jim Rebhorn.

I started Roundabout Underground to give a home to talented emerging playwrights, and I know that Little Children Dream of God and Jeff Augustin are worthy additions to the line of which they are now a part. As we enter the eighth season of this program, I can't help but marvel at the ever-growing list of playwrights, directors, actors, and designers who have found a home in the Black Box Theatre and then been launched into hugely successful careers. From a Pulitzer finalist to a pair of Tony winners, to more Broadway debuts than I can count, it's been hugely gratifying to watch these artists attain such success.

I hope that you enjoy Little Children Dream of God, and I am eager to hear your thoughts on this world premiere play. Please email me at artisticoffice@roundabouttheatre.org to share your response to this work.

Todd Haimes
Artistic Director