Laughing, Crying, and Searching for Tigers

By Regina Hinkley

Tigers Be Still, Nebraska Repertory Theatre, Friday February 20, 2026

“I want to do something so incredible that my life might not be this like, terrible thing, but I don’t know what that thing is.”

Stepping into Tigers Be Still at the Nebraska Repertory Theatre, one is immediately struck by the setting. Designed by Charlie Berens, the world of the play is a combination of a home office, a middle school principal’s office, a living room, a liminal space, and a shoe closet all at once, and it does so seamlessly. Props to the creative team, as the set design, construction, costumes, and props were all gorgeous. I want that vest. 

    Directed by Lori Adams, who previously directed the brilliant production of POTUS at Nebraska Rep in the winter of 2024, Tigers Be Still is a story of grief, depression, and overcoming the obstacles that we face in life. Centered around Sherry, an art therapist in her first job played by Dez Chavez, we are told of the very tragic circumstances surrounding her family. Her sister, Grace, played by Annie McClory, has been cheated on by her fiance Troy and now she spends her time laying on the couch, getting drunk, and stealing Troy’s stuff, including his two chihuahuas. And their mother, never seen and only communicated with through phone calls, is suffering from a chronic illness and taking a medicine that makes her gain weight, resulting in her barring her two daughters from even looking at her. Rounding out the cast is Zack, Sherry’s first patient played by Sam Landretti, and his father, the middle school principal played by equity actor Kevin Paul Hofeditz, both of whom are dealing with the death of Zack’s mother. The show only has four characters, meaning that each one of the actors carries a lot of responsibility on their shoulders, and they handle it well. Their chemistry is the main driving force of the show, and every character’s interaction with another one is carefully thought out and executed.

    Tigers Be Still is ultimately a balancing act. It presents us with the various ways that someone can have depression: isolation, escapism, anger, fake happiness, and avoidance. And the show not only treats all of them with respect, but it allows the audience to laugh at the absurdity and the tragic nature of the situation. We all struggle with our mental health, and sometimes, all you can do is laugh at it. Otherwise, it consumes us. That’s the goal of Kim Rosenstock’s script. She gives us permission to laugh at our sadness, accept it for what it is, and move on. That’s the beauty of the show, and I’m happy to have experienced it. 

If you go: Tigers Be Still runs from February 19-22 and 25-March 1 at 7:30 pm (the 22nd and the 1st are matinees at 2 pm) in the UNL Nebraska Repertory Studio Theatre at the Temple Building. Tickets are $15 for students and $25 for adults and can be purchased at https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/nebraskarep/6620?productionidlist=228223.

Regina Hinkley is a theatre student at the Johnny Carson School of Theater and Film at UNL. She is a playwright, performer, and avid enjoyer of theater of all kinds.

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