Mourning Sunset at Irvine United Congregational Church

OLIO THEATRE WORKS PRESETS A POWERFUL NEW DRAMA, “MOURNING SUNSET,” BY AWARD-WINNING PLAYWRIGHT, TERRA TAYLOR KNUDSON

Olio Theatre Works is proud to present original drama, Mourning Sunset, an intimate and deeply moving new play by local Long Beach playwright, Terra Taylor Knudson and directed by Carl Propst-dasilva. Running from August 6th through August 15th at the Irvine United Congregational Church, this gripping family drama explores the fragile boundaries of grief, forgiveness, and the grueling road to reconciliation.

Mourning Sunset follows an adult son, James, as he navigates the impending loss of his dying wife, Katherine. His world is further upended by the sudden arrival of his estranged parents, Doug and Amanda, who come offering help. Forced into close quarters during an agonizing countdown, the family is stripped of their defenses. Together, they must confront the lingering damage of past traumas and the heavy weight of decades-old choices, ultimately testing whether redemption and healing are truly possible.

“This play doesn’t shy away from the messy reality of family dynamics under extreme pressure,” says Director Carl Propst-dasilva. “It asks hard questions about how we heal when the wounds are so deep, and whether love is enough to bridge a lifetime of silence.”

The production features a stellar cast including Savannah Moffat, John Sturgeon, Dylan Vessel, and Terra Taylor Knudson, under the precise guidance of Production Stage Manager, Jill Prout. With Sound Design by Caleb Leal, and Costume support by Violet Hesslein.

Performance Details:

Dates: August 6 – August 15, 2026 Times: All performances at 7:30pm Location: Irvine United Congregational Church,4917 Aton Pkwy, Irvine, CA 92604 Tickets: $15. Available now at www.oliotheatreworks.org and www.olioworks.art

About Olio Theatre Works:

Established in 2004, Olio Theatre Works is a theatre company out of Long Beach, CA specializing in creative entertainment solutions for any occasion. Focusing primarily on original work OTW has featured classical, musical, educational, and cabaret-style productions during its right twenty-two-year history.

High-resolution versions of the production poster available on Google Drive: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1g3geLGWSyGYYQZ8dfpXWcW8bSH5_UZIh/view?usp=sharing

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