Mary Bacon is an award-winning actor and a writer who has collaborated with countless esteemed playwrights, directors and theatres. From multiple world premieres to a canon of classical roles, Mary is a celebrated and beloved member of the New York and regional theatre communities. 

In this episode, Melanie and Katie speak with Mary about the last 2 decades: from the series of beautiful synchronicities that led to the adoption of her Ethiopian son Abadi, now 15, through a thriving career as an actor mama, to the sudden and tragic loss of her husband, Andrew Leynse of Primary Stages, in 2023. Mary’s story is one of the power of endurance and the choice to trust in life. She opens up about how she found her voice after unthinkable loss and how writing has helped her to reflect on and articulate her grief. 

Mary recounts the roles she played that ended up helping her through her darkest time, what she learns by watching sports documentaries with her son, and that by living and creating,  she is honoring her husband’s legacy.

More on Mary and her resources:

https://www.marybacon.net

@marybacon7

https://thewidowbacon.substack.com

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/26/style/tiny-modern-love-stories-the-wrong-parent-died.html?searchResultPosition=16

https://www.bcwtreehouse.org

https://experiencecamps.org

https://www.moliereinthepark.org

https://www.primarystages.org