A drama about a young woman with supernatural powers is on stage in New Jersey. The drama "Bulrusher" is being performed as the season-opening play of McCarter Theatre in Princeton.

Set in the 1950s in the remote California community of Boonville, the story revolves around the title character, an 18-year-old who was abandoned at birth and sent down the Navarro River only to be discovered in the bulrushes. Raised by a stranger who took her in, she discovers that she has the ability to read people's futures by looking into the water.

"It's clairvoyance on the page," says Jordan Tyson, who plays Bulrusher, of the character's gift. "But I think her real gift is her relentless ability to be nothing but herself."

Scenes take place in several locations, including a brothel with the cast of six playing colorful characters of the insular community, in addition to one outsider, Vera, a visitor who meets Bulrusher and both of their lives begin to change.

"As much as Vera changes Bulrusher, Bulrusher changes Vera. And her scope of what she thinks is possible, what she thinks can happen," says Cyndii Johnson, who plays Vera.

"Bulrusher" is written by Eisa Davis and directed by Nicole A. Watson. Performances are scheduled through Oct. 7.