By Bob Nelson

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Philadelphia’s award-winning playwright, Bruce Graham, has returned to his home territory with special honors for his new play, “The Outgoing Tide,” a passionate three-character drama  dealing with the agonies of a family in a cabin on the banks of the Chesapeake Bay.

The play has won honors as Chicago’s “best new play,” and there’s no question it will now attract attention at Philadelphia’s Suzanne Roberts Theatre.

In the play, an ailing senior citizen creates a fuss while his wife and grown son have plans of their own.

The players must find common ground and come to an understanding, but as the older family member vanishes with the tide, the play itself dissolves into dark humor and powerful emotion.

The characters are all remarkable in themselves, and this is certainly not the substance of a relaxed family drama, although the mechanics are very impressive.

This is the twelfth collaboration between playwright Graham and his director, Jim Christy.

“The Outgoing Tide,” produced by the Philadelphia Theatre Company, runs through April 22nd.

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