October 13 – 15, 20-22, 7:30 p.m., OffCenter Stage
— from Susannah Weaver —
Canadian playwright Stephen Massicotte’s play Mary’s Wedding is Robert Hall’s current production opening October 13th at Orcas Center. It will run for two weeks. With a refreshing lack of cynicism, this deeply romantic dream-play goes straight to the heart with timely themes of love and loss during wartime. Present-day parallels are easily applied. Experience this play in the intimate setting of the OffCenter Stage October 13, 14,15 and 20,21,22 at 7:30 pm. OffCenter productions sell out quickly so don’t wait to get your tickets.
The eve of Mary’s wedding is a night filled with dreams: of love, of war, and of what might be. When Mary and Charlie meet in a barn during a thunderstorm, a tentative love is born. But the year is 1914, and they must surrender their fates to uncertainty. A poignant story of love and war, Mary’s Wedding is one of the most beautiful plays written in recent times.
This story demands imaginative, theatrical staging, and ignites the connection within all of us around what it means to be human. It is stirring, intimate, honest storytelling. “It is the most beautiful play I’ve ever directed,” says Hall – “absolutely beautiful.” Cali Bagby plays the lead Mary, and Kelly Toombs plays Charlie. They fall in love during World War 1. “This play is quite different than anything I’ve ever seen or directed. Both actors, Cali and Kelly, have brought the play to life with an honesty that still, after 6 weeks of rehearsal, brings tears to my eyes. I am in complete gratitude to their commitment – and when you see it, you’ll understand why. In my mind this is a must see— great for families and friends, or anyone who misses a good love story” says Hall.
“With an impressive economy of means—only one set, two actors and no intermission—Massicotte has combined a fictional romance with the true story of a heroic World War I exploit.” —New York Times
“Puts you in mind of the grand passion of Catherine and Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights, the vastness of their love mirroring the wild tangle of nature.” —Washington Times
Tickets for Mary’s Wedding are $ 17, $13 students, $2 off for Orcas Center members and may be purchased on the website or by calling 376-2281 ext 1 or visiting the Orcas Center box office during box office hours which are Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 12-2 pm. $5 Subsidized Tickets available at the Box Office. For more information about Orcas Center 2016-2017 season events, please visit www.orcascenter.org.
