Tragedy is a painful reality people must face at one time or another. “Miriam’s Flower’s,” which opened Nov. 16 at the Playwrights’ Theatre, gives a very disturbing, but realistic view of what can happen to a family when tragedy strikes.

“Miriam’s Flower’s, written by Migdalia Cruz, is a haunting story about a Puerto Rican family living in New York that suffers unbearable pain when the boy, Puli, is killed by a train.

The mother and sister are each on their own destructive path of no return while hoping to be rescued along the way.

The cast, along with the lighting and sound technicians Myke Kunkel and Jeff Gregory, were instrumental in setting the stage for a dark mood.

The story was not completely overshadowed by darkness, the flashbacks of happy times with Puli provided for lighter moments while simultaneously providing another dimension of pain.

The cast drew emotion from the audience the way a tragedy draws sorrow from it’s survivors.

Yolanda Moreno as Miriam, proved a professional as she bared all revealing her pain.

Jessica Castaneda, who played Delfina, was perfect in her role as the Puerto Rican mother and the saucy dish for her lover Nando, played by Ernesto Bustos. Although their first passionate scene was a bit awkward, they were very well matched and Castaneda was a natural in her bathtub scenes.

Enrique, Hector Venegas and Bustos both were almost amusing in their demonstration of the power of the male sex drive.

Eric Fechtner was appropriately casted in the role of Puli.

The other cast members, Katie Barth as Mary, Gregory Alburn as Jesus, Tedaryl Chapman as San Martin and Andrea Vasquez as Grief, although transparent, were invaluable in their contribution to the darkness of the production.

The director, Wilma Bonet and assistant director Margaret Morneau rose to the occasion in directing this serious piece.

“Miriam’s Flowers” is not a production you would want to see if you were in the mood for something light. This is a modern tragedy with nudity and strong language performed by a cast of professionals.

The production continues through Dec. 3 in the Playwrights’ Theatre.