Review: Art of Care at Mosaic

On an unseasonably warm November day, I attended a matinee showing of The Art of Care at the Mosaic Theater Company. Outside, the city was eerily subdued, weighed down by the recent election results which lingered in the air like a collective sigh. But within the theater, a different energy took hold — one of tenderness and community. 

Conceived and directed by Derek Goldman in collaboration with Georgetown University's Laboratory for Global Performance and Politics, the play – a culmination of a multi-year deep exploration into caregiving –  poses a simple question: Can we imagine a world where caring for one another is at the center? 

In an era marked by political fractures, global unrest and heightened social tensions, this question feels more relevant than ever.   

Stepping inside the theater, the halls buzzed with life, laughter, and play as an intergenerational audience settled in. Local high school students chatted excitedly while community elders and members of AARP’s Soul Sanctuary exchanged hard candy, jokes, and warm smiles. Classic jams from the 1970s filled the room, weaving a bridge between generations as feet tapped and heads nodded in unison. 

The stage, which was initially hidden from view due to the theater’s steep seating, was a pleasant surprise that immersed us in the story with its cozy, eclectic charm. A paisley couch thoughtfully placed at the center of the room, mood-lit cubby holes lined with books and candles, and awnings strung with metro cards and flowers hinted at life’s fleeting but profound journeys. 

As the lights lowered and the show began, a deep thrum of African drums echoed throughout the room, pulling the audience into a shared rhythm and collective breath. “Who would’ve thought that nearly five years ago, we’d be here, breathing together," we heard. This line hit the room with a quiet power, a reminder of the not-so-distant past and just how much we’ve been through since Covid reshaped our world. From the start, it’s clear the performers are ready to go deep, anchoring us in realities that are familiar yet rarely shared with such unfiltered honesty.

Inspired by Goldman’s In Your Shoes method — a practice designed to cultivate trust and connection between participants — the actors transitioned seamlessly across the stage and throughout the audience, weaving one story into the next. Through song and dance, the ensemble moved in unison, layering names and emotions with stories of love, grief, healing, resilience, and curious encounters with angels. 

When a story became too heavy to tell, another performer would step in, carrying the narrative forward and embodying the moment with movement, illustrating the shared nature of care and the importance of bearing witness to each other's experiences. Elders in the audience punctuated heartfelt monologues with knowing “mm-hmms” and “I know that’s right,” creating an unscripted chorus of solidarity that enveloped the space. 

Every detail of the production, from the soundscape to the visuals, spoke to its core message: care is more than an act; it’s a shared language, a connection that transcends the individual. But even under the weight of tear-jerking narratives, moments of levity sparkled through. The vibrant presence of aunties in the audience, adorned in animal print and bold red hoop earrings — their laughter ringing at just the right moments — reminded everyone that even within heavy themes, life remains vivid, joyful, and spirited.

Before the play concluded, the actors returned to a poignant gesture they began before the performance. They walked through the crowd, collecting names of audience members’ loved ones in their notebooks. As the final scene unfolded, those names were spoken aloud, each projected onto a screen filled with sparkling stars. Soft sighs of recognition rippled through the aisles as the stars glowed, a shared testament to connection and remembrance.

After the final applause, a panel discussion took place. The actors, still gathering themselves, shared the emotional demands and vulnerability required to present such deeply personal stories, often incorporating family photos and videos into their performances. Some held hands for support, emphasizing the collective bond between them. Audience questions ranged from how to cultivate an honest and heartfelt performance to reflections on dignity at the end of life. One comment stood out; it was a nod to the moving stories of children saying goodbyes to dying grandparents, normalizing and accepting the natural cycle of life.

The Art of Care was more than a performance; it was a catharsis. It asked us not only to witness but to participate and acknowledge that caring for one another might just be the most powerful story we can share.

Performances run through November 24 at the Mosaic Theater Company. Get more info here.

This story has been updated to reflect the director's full correct full name, Derek Goldman.