Romantic Comedy plays in The Kweskin Theatre

When a one-night-stand turns into a 25-year relationship you have, as the New York Times said about Same Time, Next Year, “…the funniest comedy about love and adultery to come Broadway’s way in years.” And now, Curtain Call starts 2021 with this Drama Desk Award winner in The Kweskin Theatre beginning February 25.

Same Time, Next Year is one of the most popular romantic comedies of the 20th century. It ran four years on Broadway, winning a Tony Award for lead actress Ellen Burstyn, and provides a nostalgic, touching, funny and often poignant look at 25 years of American Culture, through the lives of two lovers – George and Doris - who meet once a year for a romantic weekend.

“Over the past 10 months, I’ve read dozens of two-person shows to suit our special needs right now,” said Curtain Call executive director, Lou Ursone, “but I kept coming back to one of my favorites, Same Time, Next Year.” He added, “I happen to like the show a lot. There are lots of laughs and some very moving moments as we see these characters evolve over the course of 25 years."

Same Time, Next Year is unique among romantic comedies, because these long-time lovers are married...just not to each other. It just so happens that Curtain Call’s co-stars – Paul and Sophie Tiesler - really are married…to each other.

“Due to the many safety concerns regarding COVID-19, our best shot at creating any kind of programming was to pick small-cast shows like this (and The Gin Game, which we did last fall) using actors who live together. Luckily, I've worked with many great actor couples over the years, so casting these shows is not that difficult, Ursone said.

This is the first time the Tieslers have gotten to act opposite each other, but they’re enjoying the opportunity. “It’s so special to have the ultimate trust in your scene partner. It just adds a level of authenticity and intimacy that is so rarely achieved, said Sophie. Paul added, “It’s a real treat to get to ‘play’ with your better half…it’s quite fun to randomly run lines in the midst of day to day life.”

Playing opposite a spouse is not uncommon nor is it with its challenges. “The only downside is Paul has to deal with me being a little bossy about lines! Sometimes I get carried away because he’s my husband, so I need to be more respectful and patient, said Sophie. Paul agreed, saying, “The biggest challenge is recognizing you still need to separate the two a bit i.e. this is my scene partner not my wife and vice versa.”

In order to keep cast and crew as safe as possible, in person rehearsals have been limited but will increase as the production draws nearer. Sophie explained, “We’ve arranged our living room to match the set and done a lot of Zoom rehearsals, and when we are in the theatre, it’s just Paul and me, and our director and stage manager, and both couples quarantine together so it’s absolutely the safest possible production we could be working on.”

Directing this production is Richard Mancini, who directed last season’s Cactus Flower and many other productions at Curtain Call. “I love working with Rich because he’s a very laid back director and so easy to work with” Ursone noted. They’ve worked together on very serious plays - like The Days of Wine and Roses – but the really well-written comedies bring great pleasure to them both.

“Same Time, Next Year has been a classic for nearly four decades now. It’s my first time directing it (although I did stage Slade’s follow-up, the plainly titled Romantic Comedy a couple of years ago,” said Mancini. “As a two-character romantic comedy, Same Time, Next Year is a perfect show to bring live theatre back with,” he added.

“We’re really excited to be able to do a love show for a live audience at a time when most local theatre can’t because their houses aren’t large enough to accommodate a safely distanced audience,” Mancini said.

The Tieslers share the same enthusiasm for the play as do Mancini and Ursone. “I love how it does a wonderful job of bringing to life the really important parts about love and partnership. These characters change a lot in 25 years but they change with each other – ‘it’s a truly beautiful thing to know someone that well’ as George says,” said Sophie. Paul added, “It’s ultimately about two people who love each other and it’s so special to watch them grow and change together.”

Performances of Same Time, Next Year will be held in The Kweskin Theatre, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, February 25, 26 and 27, at 8:00pm; Sunday afternoon, February 28, at 2:00pm is currently SOLD OUT. The play will be presented without intermission to avoid restroom lines. Patrons will be seated six feet apart side-to-side, utilizing every other row of the theatre. Total occupancy will be about 50 patrons. Tickets are $35 for adults, $25 for senior citizens and $20.00 for children. Thrifty Thursday tickets are $27.50. Box Office: 203-461-6358 or online at www.curtaincallinc.com.

Same Time, Next Year is presented through special arrangement with Concord Theatricals in cooperation with The City of Stamford. Additional support is provided through the CT Office of the Arts. Curtain Call is the non-profit community-based theatre company in residence at The Sterling Farms Theatre Complex, 1349 Newfield Avenue in Stamford. Year-round productions and educational workshops for all ages are presented by and for area residents in The Kweskin Theatre and The Dressing Room Theatre.

Curtain Call was voted Fairfield County's BEST LOCAL THEATRE GROUP ten years running in the Annual Readers' Poll of the Fairfield County Weekly; received The Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts in 2011 and the ACE Award for excellence in 2016.