Agriculture is the lifeblood of Amish communities throughout North America. Their hard work and toil on their farms provide the food and materials they require to live and subsist throughout the year, as well as sell their fresh-grown wares to tourists who stop by their towns and villages.
But Amish-grown cannabis?!?
This unlikely agricultural and cultural pairing is the premise of Grow, the musical comedy that closes the Segal Centre’s 2025-2026 season, and is playing there until June 14.
The story centers around two Amish sisters: Hannah (Annelise Forbes), who willingly — and somewhat reluctantly — embarks upon the Amish tradition of “Rumspringa” (when Amish youth spend a period of time in a major modern city to experience its carefree and decadent way of life before returning to their community to spend the rest of their lives in a devout, religious setting); and Ruth (Julia Pulo) who is steadfastly reluctant to experience this adventure, but agrees to accompany her sister through this stage of her Amish life.
Needless to say, their arrival in the big city is a culture shock. That’s until they encounter Skor (Seth Zosky), an aspiring cannabis grower/entrepreneur, who is waiting for his grower’s license and simultaneously warding off the threat of a major agrarian conglomerate that is setting up shop across the street from him.
Whether it’s destiny or sheer dumb luck, Skor realizes that Hannah and Ruth are going to be his salvation. That’s especially so with Ruth, whose vast agricultural knowledge and experience (and her extra added touch of singing to her plants to help their remarkable growth) will make the big difference in helping his cannabis business rise above the spectre of big business.
With a wonderful ensemble cast — especially Jake Cohen, who provides terrific comic relief as Samuel, Hannah’s soon-to-be fiancé — Grow is an entertaining cornucopia of a show that bonds two diverse cultures thanks to the wonders of weed, not to mention the bonds of sisterhood and the strengths a community can bring, whether they are traditional or modern. It’s two enjoyable hours that grow on you.
To get your tickets, go to segalcentre.org.
by Stuart Nulman
