Painting Mary

by César Alvarez with Emily Orling

Painting Mary tells the story of a jewish woman who spends 20 years working on a painting of Mother Mary. Hacking a path through mental illness, artistic meltdown, and motherhood, the play turns into a musical turns into an opera turns into a piece of performance art. Mary arrives eventually. And the spirits talks to the plumber.

Painting Mary is a commission of Playwrights Horizons

DEVELOPMENT:

2020
Playwrights Horizons and Princeton University Commission César

2025
In progress reading during Emily Orling’s solo exhibition at A.P.E. Gallery in Northampton, MA

photo by Carol Lollis courtesy of the Daily Hampshire Gazette

A public reading of Painting Mary at A.P.E. Gallery in Northampton, MA

photos by

COLLABORATORS:

Painting Mary is still in development, but this is the community of artists who have been part of its growth so far. Please send corrections!

Painting Mary was first workshopped in a public reading during Emily Orling’s solo exhibition at A.P.E. Gallery in Northampton, MA on October 17th, 2025. Featuring: Penelope Black, Katrina Goldsaito, Dante Green, Rachel F. Hirsch, Gabe Levey, Sarah Marcus, Joanna Nix and Zoe Tuck. With live accompaniment by César Alvarez; Mo Schweiger: Stage Manager Alex Ripp: Dramaturgy; J.E. Kramer: Music Assistant.

Thank you!