LAFAYETTE, LOUISIANA — The rich cultural heritage of South Louisiana is coming to life on stage as the Acadiana Center of the Arts prepares to present Where the Suga Still Sweet, a powerful theatrical production exploring grief, memory, friendship and the human capacity to persevere through difficult seasons.
Written by Breaux Bridge native Brian Egland and presented in collaboration with Black Theater Experience, the play will run October 23–25 at the Acadiana Center for the Arts, located at 101 West Vermilion Street in downtown Lafayette.
Through a story rooted in Louisiana’s landscape and cultural identity, the production invites audiences to reflect on loss, healing and the connections that help people endure life’s hardships. From a Christian faith perspective, these themes echo biblical teachings about hope, remembrance and the strength that can emerge even in seasons of sorrow.
A STORY ROOTED IN LOUISIANA’S SOUL
At the center of the play is Reverend Vern Mayor’s struggling sugar cane field, where the crops refuse to grow except in one extraordinary patch. That patch holds a deeply personal secret: it is where Sondelo is buried and where his best friend, Runna, returns to speak with him.
Within this unusual setting, the sugar remains sweet even as the surrounding world appears to decay. The image offers a compelling contrast between hardship and the enduring power of love, memory and human connection.
Egland hopes audiences will recognize their own communities, experiences and traditions in the production. He has worked throughout the country but wants to bring Louisiana stories back to the people and places that inspired them.
The production will feature a live sugar cane field constructed with real sugar cane, bringing an unmistakable piece of the region’s agricultural landscape onto the stage.
REPRESENTATION AND THE IMPORTANCE OF SHARING OUR STORIES
Egland has emphasized the importance of allowing Louisiana residents to see their own lives and surroundings represented in theater, film and other creative works.
For communities whose histories and cultural experiences are not always prominently portrayed, productions like this can create opportunities for recognition, understanding and meaningful conversation.
The collaboration with Black Theater Experience also provides a platform for artistic expression that reflects the voices and experiences of the region.
From a Christian perspective, every person’s story carries dignity and worth. Psalm 139:14 celebrates the remarkable nature of God’s creation, reminding believers that human lives and experiences deserve to be treated with respect.
By placing Louisiana’s landscapes, traditions and relationships at the center of the stage, Where the Suga Still Sweet invites audiences to appreciate the richness of their shared heritage.
GRIEF, FRIENDSHIP AND THE PROMISE OF HOPE
The relationship between Runna and his deceased friend Sondelo places grief at the heart of the production. Runna’s conversations at his friend’s burial place suggest how deeply relationships can shape our lives, even after someone is gone.
Grief can leave individuals searching for comfort, answers and ways to preserve the memories of those they have lost. The play’s imagery offers space for audiences to consider those emotions through art and storytelling.
Scripture acknowledges the reality of sorrow. Ecclesiastes 3:4 reminds readers that there is a time to weep and a time to laugh, while Psalm 34:18 offers reassurance that God is near to the brokenhearted.
These passages provide comfort to those experiencing loss and remind communities of the importance of standing beside grieving friends and neighbors.
AN INVITATION TO EXPERIENCE LOCAL ART
Audiences can attend Where the Suga Still Sweet October 23–25 at the Acadiana Center for the Arts in downtown Lafayette. The production offers an opportunity to support Louisiana artists while engaging with a story grounded in regional culture, personal relationships and the challenges of survival.
As the curtain rises, the play invites the community to consider how beauty and meaning can remain present even when circumstances appear bleak.
A PRAYER FOR ARTISTS, FAMILIES AND THOSE EXPERIENCING GRIEF
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of creativity and for the artists who use their talents to tell stories that touch hearts and strengthen communities.
Bless Brian Egland, the performers, the Black Theater Experience team and everyone working to bring this production to life. May their work encourage understanding, celebrate Louisiana’s heritage and provide a welcoming space for reflection.
Lord, comfort those who are grieving the loss of loved ones. Surround them with compassionate friends, supportive families and the assurance that they do not have to walk through sorrow alone.
As Romans 12:15 teaches us to rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn, help us become a community that listens, cares and offers hope.
May this production remind us that even in seasons of hardship, love, friendship and faith can help us endure.
In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
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