The Way North

by Tira Palmquist

When a lost, cold and very pregnant young woman stumbles on to her rural homestead in the Minnesota wilderness, Freddy Hanson doesn't hesitate to take her in. It's the right thing to do, and as the county's former Sheriff, Freddy has dedicated her life to protecting and serving others. But when her new guest turns out to be a Sudanese refugee making a run for the Canadian border, what it means to protect and...

When a lost, cold and very pregnant young woman stumbles on to her rural homestead in the Minnesota wilderness, Freddy Hanson doesn't hesitate to take her in. It's the right thing to do, and as the county's former Sheriff, Freddy has dedicated her life to protecting and serving others. But when her new guest turns out to be a Sudanese refugee making a run for the Canadian border, what it means to protect and serve becomes a more complicated, and far more dangerous, question.

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The Way North

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear: The Way North by Tira Palmquist
    “

    A powerful look at an urgent crisis and the call to care for humanity. Well done.

    A powerful look at an urgent crisis and the call to care for humanity. Well done.

    ”
  • Nick Malakhow: The Way North by Tira Palmquist
    “

    An exquisite piece! Freddy is a fantastic, compelling nucleus around which the play orbits. I love how, despite the hugely high stakes of the piece once Agnes arrives, Palmquist's plot unfolds with tension, yes, but also with nuanced and complex character development instead of overwrought tragedy. The central moral question of what is the right thing to do vs. what is the letter of the law is so sharply and perfectly dissected and explored here. Each character's words ring with truth and naturalism and also with moments of lyrical beauty. How I'd love to see this onstage!

    An exquisite piece! Freddy is a fantastic, compelling nucleus around which the play orbits. I love how, despite the hugely high stakes of the piece once Agnes arrives, Palmquist's plot unfolds with tension, yes, but also with nuanced and complex character development instead of overwrought tragedy. The central moral question of what is the right thing to do vs. what is the letter of the law is so sharply and perfectly dissected and explored here. Each character's words ring with truth and naturalism and also with moments of lyrical beauty. How I'd love to see this onstage!

    ”
  • Asher Wyndham: The Way North by Tira Palmquist
    “

    Just like her play TWO DEGREES, the personal and the political are blended with painterly strokes.
    Palmquist's THE WAY NORTH shows us empathy in action - that's the stuff of drama here - it's so reviting. You'll lean forward reading this on your laptop.
    There's an optimism here, a hopefulness that we urgently need now in theatre. Thank-you.

    Just like her play TWO DEGREES, the personal and the political are blended with painterly strokes.
    Palmquist's THE WAY NORTH shows us empathy in action - that's the stuff of drama here - it's so reviting. You'll lean forward reading this on your laptop.
    There's an optimism here, a hopefulness that we urgently need now in theatre. Thank-you.

    ”
View all 18 recommendations

Development History

  • Reading, the Phoenix Theatre, 2019
  • Reading, Red Mountain Theatre Company, 2019
  • Reading, Seven Devils Playwrights Conference, 2018
  • Reading, Capital Rep's NEXT ACT! New Play Summit, 2018
  • Reading, Capital Rep's NEXT ACT! New Play Summit, 2018

Awards