SYRACUSE — “Tender Rain,” a play written by Mohawk Valley native Kyle Bass, made its world premiere on Wednesday at Syracuse Stage. The theatrical work, which will run through May 21, explores a layered emotional landscape related to intimacy, race, and the assumptions people make about one another.

“It’s strange and wonderful to be working on this play again nearly 20 years after I first started writing it as my graduate thesis,” said Bass. “In revisiting it for its world premiere, I could revise the play, but I could not revise the playwright who first brought it to the page — an exercise in acceptance and possibility. My process mirrored the underlying metaphor of the play: how do we as a nation fully acknowledge and reckon with the difficult and unchangeable truths of our shared past and move forward together in the light of those truths towards a more compassionate future?”

Syracuse Stage Artistic Director Bob Hupp adds, “The beauty of this play lies in the richness of Kyle’s language. ‘Tender Rain’ tackles the complexity of relationships in ways that transcend the time in which the play is set. This is not a play that could easily translate to television; this is a work that demands to live on a stage. That’s what I find so compelling about Kyle’s work — and that’s why we’re honored to support his craft as our resident playwright and as a defining voice of our organization.”

Bass was born in Utica and grew up in Frankfort. Bestowed last year with the honor of being Syracuse Stage’s first resident playwright, he is on leave from his regular position as assistant professor in the Department of Theater at Colgate University for the current school year.

Bass describes “Tender Rain” as a “symphonic drama.” It is the fourth play he has written and that Syracuse Stage has produced for its mainstage.

His earlier works have included “Cry for Peace: Voices of the Congo,” co-authored with Ping Chong; “salt/city/blues;” and “Possessing Harriet.”  

“Tender Rain” runs through Sunday, May 21. Opening night for the world premiere is Friday, May 5 at 7:30 p.m. All evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m., while all matinee performances begin at 2 p.m.

Tickets start at $30, with discounts available for students and groups of 10 or more. Tickets can be purchased by visiting syracusestage.org, the Syracuse Stage Box Office at 820 East Genesee St., Syracuse, or by calling 315-443-3275.