Review: 'Constellations' at TheatreWorks New Milford

New Milford, CT - TheatreWorks New Milford chose to produce the play CONSTELLATIONS, a unique work written by the English playwright Nick Payne. The piece is a two-hander, meaning that it features only two actors for the entire performance. The TW production was directed by Viv Berger and it will run through March 7.

The director describes the piece as a story “about Love: Love entangled in space and time,” and directing this tale has long been an ardent dream. The time and setting is indicated to be “An entangled time at the very far edge of the universe.” The scenes don’t feel linear, but the fifty scenes in the two acts show how the various events in the relationship of this young couple may have happened. Some short scenes are played three times in succession, with the same lines being delivered in different ways. At least one scene comes back later in the second act.

How might the smallest change in our life dramatically alter its course? Playwright Nick Payne's brilliant love story explores Marianne & Roland relationship and all of its infinite possibilities. This exploration of love, science, heartbreak and hope raises the question - what is the difference between destiny and choice?

It reminded me a bit of the Broadway musical IF/THEN, without the music of course, although this show followed two distinct paths, while CONSTELLATIONS shows the complexities of how one romantic relationship can unfold. Once I remembered that the two characters remained the same two people throughout, I found it easier to follow.

If following along with the tale sounds exhausting, I recommend taking a wide view of the action. Reading a summary of the play the next day, I discovered that I missed a detail or two, but I still enjoyed the hard work of the two actors. While they were able to “reuse” some of the lines they had memorized, they had to deliver those lines in completely different ways when they were repeated.

The cast of two took on their demanding roles with what can only be described as great strength. The role of Marianne was played in all of her possible trajectories by Heather Haneman, an actress who enjoys every aspect of theatre and is often seen at the TheatreWorks Playwrights workshop. Her performance was most impressive.

The equally challenging role of Roland was brought to life by Matthew Benjamin Horowitz. I remembered Mr. Horowitz from his role as Igor in YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN at this venue, but he has also appeared in a number of plays at Hole in the Wall Theatre in his hometown of New Britain. He made it look easy to switch between the different paths that his character might have taken, which it certainly was not.

Frank Arcaro, the director of PROOF and WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION, served as producer; he will next direct TW’s next production, MORNINGS AT SEVEN. Maya Daley was the stage manager. Set design by Leif Smith (PROOF) was sleek and offered plenty of places for the two actors to change the feel of their scenes.

The video design by Kate Moncuse enhanced the scenes without overpowering the stage, which was a good thing to my mind. The story board drawings that were a part of the video background were done by Alex Echevarria. Leif Smith was in charge of the lighting design that featured a blackout in between all of the tiny scenes. Luisa Gasco-Soboleski served as the American Sign Language consultant.

Theatreworks New Milford presents CONSTELLATIONS
By Nick Payne
Directed by Viv Berger

Starring -
Heather Haneman as Marianne
Matthew B. Horowitz as Roland

FEBRUARY 27th (Pay What You Want Night), 28th ,29th
MARCH 1st ,6th, 7th

Please visit www.theatreworks.us for more info. The run time is approximately 90 minutes and is presented with one intermission. Foul language makes it not suitable for children.

Nancy Sasso Janis, writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, posts well over 100 reviews each year. In 2016, her membership in the Connecticut Critics Circle began and her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted not only in the Naugatuck Patch but also on the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the NEW CCC Facebook page.

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