Riverside Theatre is pleased to announce its upcoming production of Native Gardens by Karen Zacarías, a sharp, hilarious, and timely comedy that explores themes of culture, class, and the boundaries we build—both literal and figurative. Directed by Kirsten Brooks, the production will run from February 28 through March 16, 2025, at Riverside Theatre, located at 119 E. College Street. Tickets are on sale now at www.riversidetheatre.org/gardens.

In Native Gardens, good fences make for prickly neighbors. Pablo, a rising lawyer in a powerful firm, and his very pregnant wife, Tania, move into a historic, well-to-do neighborhood in Washington, D.C., eager to build their dream home and garden. But their plans clash with their next-door neighbors, Frank and Virginia, a well-established couple with a prize-worthy garden of their own. What begins as a simple property line disagreement soon blossoms into a full-scale border dispute! Amid conflicting assumptions about community, identity, and the American dream, is peaceful coexistence possible?

Karen Zacarías, one of the most produced modern playwrights in the U.S., is known for her witty and incisive explorations of contemporary issues. Native Gardens has been hailed for its ability to tackle serious themes with humor and heart, making it a perfect fit for Riverside’s mission to present theatre that entertains, challenges, and inspires. In Zacarías words, “I think comedy is disarming. I mean literally. You let down your armor so you can laugh. And if you laugh, you’re taking things in. I want people who disagree to watch this play and be able to laugh at themselves.”

The cast features Riverside Theatre’s founders, Ron Clark* and Jody Hovland* as Frank and Virginia, as well as Franco Machado-Pesce as Pablo, Jessica Murillo Kemp as Tania, and Natanael Payán and Ariana Martinez in the ensemble.