unreconciled by jay sefton & mark basquill
Written by:
Jay Sefton & Mark Basquill
Directed by:
Geraldine Hughes
Ticket Prices:
January 31 - February 3: $40/ticket
February 6: Pay What You Can
February 7 - 9: $40/ticket
February 13 - 16: $50/ticket
Performed by:
Jay Sefton
Location:
barebones black box theater, 1211 Braddock Avenue, Braddock, PA 15104
Dates and Showtimes:
January 31 - February 16, 2025, 8PM on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, 2PM on Sundays
Special Post-Show Discussions:
February 2, 7, 9, and 16 (more details below)
Unreconciled is the true story of an adolescent actor cast as Jesus in a school play directed by a parish priest. The story chronicles a survivor’s journey as he confronts his past, navigates a victims’ reparations program set up by the Catholic church, and discovers the courage to use his voice. This 80-minute piece is a poignant and, at times, humorous exploration of family, place, and the meaning of reconciliation.
Content warning: This play contains references to clerical abuse, assault, childhood trauma, and victim reparations, which may be triggering for some audiences.
Special Post-Show Events
February 2nd, 7th, 9th, and 16th
We are excited to offer four unique opportunities to engage more deeply with Unreconciled through moderated post-show discussions that highlight the play's themes of trauma, resilience, and healing.
Sunday, February 2nd:
Following the matinee performance, join us for a conversation with Jay Sefton and Shaun Dougherty, Executive Director and Board President of SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests). Shaun will share his expertise and personal insights, offering an opportunity to explore the play’s themes through the lens of advocacy and survivor support.
Friday, February 7th:
After the evening performance, Jay Sefton will be joined by Mike Menold—who, like Jay, played Jesus in the 1980 St. Francis DeSales school play in Philadelphia. Together, they will reflect on their shared experiences, memory, and the themes of Unreconciled.
Sunday, February 9th:
After the matinee performance, we’ll host a moderated talkback featuring Jay Sefton—playwright, performer, and licensed mental health counselor—alongside representatives from Pittsburgh Action Against Rape (PAAR). Moderated by journalist and storyteller Natalie Bencivenga, this discussion will create a thoughtful and informed space to unpack the show and its broader conversations around trauma and recovery (a portion of the proceeds from this performance will benefit PAAR).
Sunday, February 16th:
Stick around after the closing matinee for a final talkback with Jay Sefton, offering a last opportunity to engage in conversation about the play and its impact.
We hope you’ll join us for one—or all—of these meaningful discussions.
Content Advisory: All discussions will address sensitive topics, including trauma and sexual violence, in supportive and informed settings. We encourage attendees to care for themselves as needed throughout these events.
Geraldine Hughes, Director
Geraldine Hughes received the LA Ovation, Garland and Drama Critics Circle Awards for her solo play Belfast Blues, which she also wrote and performed. Broadway credits: Harry Potter And The Cursed Child (Professor McGonagall), Jerusalem, Particle Of Dread (opposite Stephen Rea), Cyrano De Bergerac, Translations.
FILM: Rocky Balboa, Gran Torino, Nine Days, The Book Of Henry, Time Out Of Mind, and Killing Lincoln. Geraldine is a 2023 and 2024 recipient of the Irish American Partnership’s Nollaig na mBan women’s leadership award and is a patron of Integrated Education in the North of Ireland and has received honorary doctorates from Queens University, Belfast and the University of Ulster.
Jay Sefton, Performer & Playwright
Jay Sefton is an actor and licensed mental health counselor, originally from Philadelphia and now based in Easthampton, Massachusetts. Selected theatre credits include Unreconciled (Co-writer/Performer), What the Constitution Means to Me (WAM Theatre/Berkshire Theatre Group), and Honor Killing (WAM Theatre).
Film/TV: The Wire, Grey’s Anatomy, The Shield, Summerland, and Providence. Jay is the recipient of the LA WEEKLY Award for Best Solo Performance for The Most Mediocre Story Never Told, and the winner of the Outstanding Solo Performance and Outstanding New Play awards given by the Berkshire Theatre Critics Association for Unreconciled.
“To say I laughed and cried is to not do the Unreconciled experience justice.”
“impactful, stirring, and unforgettable performance”
BRADDOCK PUBLIC HOUSE
Make a reservation at the newly opened Braddock Public House (in the restaurant adjacent to our theater) before or after the show! Be sure to use the "Reservation for Barebones Ticket Holder" option, as it will help the restaurant get you to your seats before the show starts.