‘Anatomy of a Hug’ explores complicated mother-daughter relationships

Although mothers and daughters and their complicated relationships have long been the subject of books (“Little Women,” “White Oleander”), plays (“Grey Gardens,” “Gypsy”) television programs (“Gibson Girls,” “Modern Family”) and movies (“Terms of Endearment,” “Freaky Friday”), there’s always room for one more, especially a play that’s timely, captivating and sensitive.

That play, “Anatomy of a Hug,” recently made its premiere at Trustus Theatre. Friday, it begins its final weekend of performances.

“Anatomy of a Hug” explores what happens when Iris, who is terminally ill, receives compassionate release from her prison sentence into her daughter Amelia’s care. Raised in foster care, Amelia’s only experience with relationships is limited to what she has seen on a television screen. “Rather than take a risk on real people, Amelia has lived her life through sit-coms,” said Chad Henderson, Trustus’ artistic director. “She has no idea how to interact with real people or interpret their stories. ‘Anatomy of a Hug’ follows her as she learns to navigate through love and relationships.”

Written by New York-based playwright Kat Ramsburg, “Anatomy of a Hug” won Trustus Theatre’s 2015 Playwrights’ Festival. It stars Rebecca Williams at Amelia and Dewey Scott-Wiley as Iris.

The festival started in 1988 with the goal of producing new works from playwrights nationwide for Columbia audiences. Submissions are taken from around the country to find a winner. The winning scripts receive a full production on the Trustus Thigpen Main Stage at the end of each season.

Showtimes are 8 p.m. Friday, and Saturday. For more information, and to purchase tickets, visit www.trustus.org.

Katie McElveen, Special to The State