Soonest Mended [workshop/preview]

"Soonest Mended" is a searing, wickedly funny dive into the complexities of modern relationships. Novelists Alexa and Jonah open their marriage seeking liberation, only to confront the harsh realities of desire, insecurity, and emotional entanglement. As they navigate new connections with Cora, a fiercely independent nurse, and Kieran, a laid-back masseur, the play exposes the disorienting tension between passion and commitment.

Through razor-sharp dialogue and raw emotional honesty, "Soonest Mended" examines the delicate balance between freedom and connection, art and life, sex and meaning. It's a story of two people trying to escape the conventions of marriage, only to find themselves more deeply ensnared than ever.

Cast

Jonathan Fernandez – Jonah

Johnathan Fernandez is an Afro-Latino actor/filmmaker from Brooklyn, NY and The Poconos, Pennsylvania. He's coming off of doing two seasons as a star of GOSSIP GIRL for HBO MAX, as well as a series regular on FOX's LETHAL WEAPON. He just finished making his directorial debut on a short film he adapted. The film is called I LEFT gOD and stars Laura Benanti (TONY winner for GYPSY, HBO's THE GILDED AGE, TV LAND'S YOUNGER) and Chandler Kinney (HBO MAX'S PRETTY LITTLE LIARS, DISNEY'S ZOMBIES, FOX'S LETHAL WEAPON). Other credits include: APPLE TV+'s HELPSTERS, CBS' BULL, HBO'S GIRLS, TRUTV'S ADAM RUINS EVERYTHING, HBO'S LAST WEEK TONIGHT WITH JOHN OLIVER.

Natasha Walfall – Cora

Natasha Walfall is a Meisner trained actor based in New York City. Her most recent credits include HBO’s “Slave Play. Not a Movie. A Play.” And Peacock’s “The Best Man: The Final Chapter”. She’s also starred in Matthew Gasda’s “Messages” and in performance art pieces in the city including “Only Remains Remain” featured at MoMA PS1. She is a graduate of the William Esper Conservatory program and enjoys cooking for others and trendy run clubs.

Hayley Phelan - Alexa

Hayley Phelan is a journalist, novelist, producer and actor. Her work has covered sugar babies, Christian feminism, anti-vax New Agers and celebrity conspiracy theories, appearing in the New York Times, Harpers Bazaar, Elle and Vanity Fair, among others. She served as executive producer on Breath of Fire, an HBO docuseries which was adapted from her original reporting. Phelan's debut novel, LIKE ME (Doubleday Canada, Lake Union) was published in 2021. She holds an MFA in fiction writing from NYU, and is currently training at the William Esper Studio.

Eric Olsson – Kieran

Born and raised in Sacramento, CA - Eric is a NYC-based actor who trained at the William Esper Studio. Most recently appearing in the 2024 season finale of NBC’s LAW & ORDER: SVU “Duty of Hope” as the main perp, he graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a BA in Film & Media Studies

The Team

Matthew Gasda – Writer/Director

Nava Saylany – Stage Manager

Merlinda Akindele – Producer

Rachel Relstab – Producer

Host or Publisher Matthew Gasda