Imagine being given the details of your future, neatly tucked away into an envelope – would you dare open it?

The lovely and thought-provoking play The Hummingbird’s Tour, currently showing at the Theatre at St. Clement’s, examines complex family dynamics and the mysteries of life and death. Charming, funny and heartwarming, it leaves audiences pondering the bigger questions, such as our purpose and mission in this world, long after the last curtain falls.

We had the chance to speak with playwright Margaret Dulaney about the inspiration behind The Hummingbird’s Tour, the joys of working with the talented cast and director John Augustine, and living life to the fullest.

Margaret, congratulations on such a lovely and moving production! Tell me about the inspiration behind this “end-of-life” comedy.

Margaret Dulaney: Thank you! It has been a truly wonderful experience. The Hummingbird’s Tour is actually inspired by my own grandmother, who would have been in her 60s in 1970, when the show takes place. She had a near death experience in her thirties – she died in childbirth and actually came back – and shortly after became interested in philosophy. She became a follower of Rudolf Steiner, a Christian mystic, and during that time [the late 1960s/early 1970s] was really on the forefront of a different kind of thinking.

Wow, that is really interesting! What about your grandmother’s way of thinking stayed with you over the years?

So much of this play, the voice and the language, are my grandmother’s style. She always had such a great influence on me and always had an open mind. She wasn’t at all fearful of death and inspired me to go out on my own journey. I love near-death experiences, because like the play they teach you how to not only live life, but also appreciate life. My hope is for this play to provide guidance on how to live life fully.

The cast you have assembled is so interesting to watch and the characters they play represent such different personalities. Tell me about the experience of working with them.

The cast is so wonderful and in this third incarnation of the play, they have been able to delve deeper into their roles and family dynamics. Since the show is about the crazy dynamic we have with our siblings, our cast has been able to fall into their own structure when they are portraying adult siblings that are reuniting at home and still having their squabbles. They all have siblings and understand that dynamic. It’s really fun to work on this and explore the idea of coming home.

I also love the character Constance, the family’s housekeeper. She is really the voice of reason among the group and delivers some witty and authentic lines!

I’m glad you feel that way! When I was growing up in Kentucky, I was raised by a couple of nannies and Constance is inspired by one of them. She was a strong personality that provided the tough love. I love that Constance is such a fun character in the show and provides the sense of comic relief when the siblings are arguing and need a reality check.

Describe the journey collaborating with director John Augustine.

I absolutely love working with John. I started writing plays in the late '80s and had some produced, but was so lucky to meet someone like John and call him a friend. I would often bounce ideas and material off of him and thought to myself how great he would be at directing. We decided to try it out and began collaborating and it has been perfect. He understands how to achieve that delicate balance between pathos and humor. When it comes to my future projects, I wouldn’t think of anyone but him.

What has been the greatest reaction so far of those coming to see the show?

The happiest comment I’ve received is that the play stays with people for days. To know that it opens the door to a new kind of thinking and lifts people up -- that is so rewarding. It has finally allowed for a healthy conversation about death – a light is shed and people are able to discuss it without fears.

What is your hope for the remainder of the run?

With the play only running for another week or so, I encourage all that have not seen it to come out to the Theatre at St. Clement’s. This play is really such a precious gem, with very fine actors. Additionally, it is so special to see actors in their 60s on stage – they really are pure talent and having nothing to prove. Their work is so very honest and I hope people rush to see them.

The Hummingbird’s Tour runs through Nov. 22 at The Theatre at St. Clement’s. For more information, visit hummingbirdoffbroadway.com