A long-forgotten play by a storied New York novelist proves timely in its world premiere

The central character of “Becomes a Woman,” a play that just opened at Mint Theater Company in Manhattan, is named Francie Nolan – the same name as the protagonist of “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn,” the classic New York City novel by Betty Smith. That’s not a coincidence, exactly; Smith also wrote “Becomes a Woman,” which is only now receiving its world-premiere staging after 93 years.

Smith’s play and novel both take place in Brooklyn, among the working poor, in the early part of the 20th century. But where “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn” is a coming-of-age story about a young girl up to the age of 17, “Becomes a Woman” looks at an eventful year in the life of a 19-year-old.

“Becomes a Woman” runs through March 18th at Mint Theater Company; more details here.

Read more about the play and its producers on Gothamist.