Posts Tagged ‘nick payne’

WEPG Explores Relationship Possibilities With Fascinating “Constellations”

Posted in St Louis Theatre, tagged , , , , , on February 15, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Constellations
by Nick Payne
Directed by Karen Pierce
West End Players Guild
February 13, 2025

Caleb D. Long, Summer Baer
Photo by John Lamb
West End Players Guild

For Valentine’s season this year, West End Players Guild is looking at a relationship at various angles. Exploring the idea of a “multiverse” and all the endless possibilities of how two people can meet, form or not form a relationship, and experience the triumphs and tragedies of life, Constellations is already an intriguing show, and I’ve seen it done well by another local company a few years ago. At WEPG, however, director Karen Pierce and two excellent actors find even more fascinating drama in this already rich script. 

Roland (Caleb D. Long) and Marianne (Summer Baer) are a pair of English would-be lovers who meet and get together, or not–and then break up, or not, in various ways. Marianne works in quantum physics at Cambridge, and she brings up the concept of a “multiverse” in describing her work, but the structure of the play explores that idea in the various moments in the couple’s relationship. The story is sort of linear, with occasional time jumps to a later period in which a serious and potentially tragic situation is occurring–again, in a variety of ways. It’s a fascinating play, as the various replayed scenarios explore the characters and how they relate, as well as playing out the oft-pondered  idea of “what would happen if you changed this one small thing?”  It’s a show full of wit, humor, and poignant drama, with the fascinating conceit of the multiverse serving as a way of further exploring the personalities of these intriguing characters and their relationship. 

The production values are deceptively simple, with director Karen Pierce designing the set and the lighting as well, with Ted Drury designing the sound. All the technical elements serve the story, but there isn’t anything flashy or elaborate. It’s just two people on a mostly bare stage, with staging, pacing, and lighting enhancing the mood as needed and aiding quite a bit in adding clarity to the story. The main focus is on the characters, and the marvelous performances of the two actors, who both turn in remarkable performances. Their chemistry is believable and compelling, with Long’s somewhat geeky and earnest Roland and Baer’s more impulsive, outgoing Marianne working well together, and Baer especially bringing out a wide range of emotions as her character arc (or arcs, really) drives the story for the most part. 

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering “what would my life be like if…”, then Constellations is a show for you. At WEPG, it’s a profound and compelling experience anchored by excellent acting and brisk pacing. It’s a contemplative, dynamic show that’s sure to provoke a lot of thought and discussion. 

Caleb D. Long, Summer Baer
Photo by John Lamb
West End Players Guild

West End Players Guild is presenting Constellations at Union Avenue Christian Church until February 16, 2025

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“Constellations” Shines Bright at the Rep Studio

Posted in St Louis Theatre, tagged , , , , , , on January 24, 2017| Leave a Comment »

Constellations
by Nick Payne
Directed by Steven Woolf
Repertory Theatre of St. Louis Studio

January 20, 2017

Eric Gilde, Ellen Adair Photo by Eric Woolsey Repertory Theatre of St. Louis

Eric Gilde, Ellen Adair
Photo by Eric Woolsey
Repertory Theatre of St. Louis

It’s a two person play with fairly simple production values, and with a clever concept. Constellations, the latest production at the Rep Studio is not a long show, but it’s a fascinating one. This inventive, emotional, witty play finds its strength in its cast and in its concept, as well as in its s strong script.

This isn’t a long play, running at about 75 minutes with no intermission, but there’s a lot of story in that 75 minutes. In fact, there are a lot of stories in one. It’s a “what-if” sort of situation, focusing on a would-be couple in England, Marianne (Ellen Adair) and Roland (Eric Gilde), playing multiple variations of the same scene over and over to show many possible scenarios. The idea of multiverses is brought up by Marianne in-story, as  examining the theory is part of her line of work. Roland is a beekeeper who incorporates his work into his everyday life in some humorous ways, particularly in one scene–or set of scenes–that I won’t spoil here but it involves reciting a sweetly geeky prepared speech. As the story unfolds, the various possibilities of this pairing unfold, from false-starts, to betrayals, to break-ups and re-uniting, to health scares and potential tragedy. The structure, is mostly linear, also there are some moments that keep being revisited seemingly out of turn, but playwright Nick Payne deftly arranges the script so it’s not confusing. In fact, it’s fascinating.

Steven Woolf’s clear direction and the winning performances of the leads also contribute massively to the appeal of this play.  Gilde’s charming and sometimes socially awkward Roland, and Adair’s unconventional and sometimes brash Marianne make an excellent team, with strong chemistry and a great deal of energy. Adair is especially adept at changing the tone of a scene at the drop of a hat, joking one moment and crying real tears the next. The emotional arc of this piece depends greatly on the chemistry of these two, and they carry the story well.

Technically, this is a simply staged piece with a simple set. Designed by Bill Clarke, the set consists of a triangular “stage” backed by a glowing, crinkly backdrop that suggests clouds or possibly even brainwaves. Ann G. Wrightson’s lighting design ably illuminates the action and the backdrop in a variety of colors, and Lou Bird’s costumes are well-suited to the characters. Rusty Wandall’s sound is also clear and strong. It’s a somewhat whimsical set-up that serves the story well.

Constellations certainly isn’t the first dramatic work to explore the idea of alternate timelines, but its strong script and intimate focus on just two characters makes it compelling. The two leads definitely make the most of their roles, and it’s a story that’s prone to provoke some interesting thoughts and conversations. There’s every possibility that you will enjoy it!

Eric Gilde, Ellen Adair Photo by Eric Woolsey Repertory Theatre of St. Louis

Eric Gilde, Ellen Adair
Photo by Eric Woolsey
Repertory Theatre of St. Louis

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis is presenting Constellations in the Studio Theatre until February 5, 2017.

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