THE STORY: Simultaneously a best friend, mentor, psychologist, and surrogate mother to the many young people who call her “Auntie,” Charlayne Woodard is childless only by biological standards. Told with penetrating grace, candor and wit, THE NIGHT WATCHER is the story of a woman who chooses not to have children—only to be pulled into the real-life struggles of kids of all ages, races and backgrounds.
“Thoughtful and engrossing, entertaining and poignant…Woodard has fashioned a powerful rumination on her nurturing role as 'auntie’ in the lives of many children. Most of her stories, while funny at times, have a more troubling aura. There are portraits of several endearing, urgently needy kids—neglected by an overwhelmed single parent, terrorized by an alcoholic father, dumped on the shoulders of grandparents. Rarely is the choice not to procreate granted such respect. And the life-enhancing intimacy that can exist between children and loving, nonparent adults is rarely articulated, or honored.” —Seattle Times.
“Luminous…In THE NIGHT WATCHER, Charlayne Woodard tells tales of her many brushes with near-motherhood, inflecting each with the mixture of exuberant feeling and sly humor that have marked her three previous autobiographical shows.” —The New York Times.
“Hilarious…heartbreaking…” —Variety.
“A singular sensation.” —New York Daily News.
“Exquisitely written, beautifully performed…” —Backstage.
“Marvelous storytelling…a truly affecting piece of theater.” —TheaterMania.
“Captivating…” —Associated Press.
