A Good Farmer at Rochester Community Players

Rochester Community Players brings audiences a timely, thought-provoking play as its last production of 2026: A Good Farmer by Sharyn Rothstein and directed by Maria Scipione. Set in Elba, N.Y., Rothstein was inspired to write this play after reading a New York Times article in 2006 about increased immigration enforcement on small, family-run farms in this nearby Genessee County town.

RCP’s production of this powerful play is filled with humanity, humor, and a haunting sense of unease over what the future will bring. It is a moving story that explores the friendship between Bonnie Johnson, a cabbage farmer, and her unlikely best friend, Carla Gutierrez, an undocumented Mexican immigrant. It is also a story of finding the power to face—and even rise above—what divides us.

Ultimately, Sharyn Rothstein’s play challenges audiences to contemplate what IS a good farmer?

Performances are at the Multi-use Community Cultural Center (MuCCC), 142 Atlantic Avenue in Rochester, on October 16, 17, 22, 23, and 24 at 7:30 p.m. A 2:00 p.m. matinee performance is Sunday, October 18. The Friday, October 23, performance is also ASL-interpreted. Tickets are available at www.muccc.org.

A GOOD FARMER is presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC (a Concord Theatricals Company), servicing the Dramatists Play Service collection.