The word “mind blowing” describes not only the second of two plays introduced into the rotation at Sierra Repertory Theatre’s Fallon House but their juxtaposition of being presented in tandem.
As previously reported, Sierra Rep’s production “Of Mice and Men,” John Steinbeck’s 1930s American literature classic co-starring Artistic Director Jerry Lee as oversized ill-fated simpleton Lennie Small, delivers with the help of an excellent ensemble cast, a richly acted novella in three progressive acts punctuated by a clear ending.
“Constellations,” which earned 41-year-old British play and screenwriter Nick Payne a nomination for the 2020 Best Play Tony Award, could not be more different except that Lee and Allie Pratt, who plays the catalytic character of Curley’s Wife leading to Lennie’s demise, make up the two-person cast.
In “Constellations,” they respectively play Roland, a beekeeper, and Marianne, a cosmologist/professor; two entangled characters whose relationship storyline is fascinatingly depicted as being within the quantum realm where uncertainty rules. In the absence of a clockwork universe, their “story” bounces through seemingly innumerable, unpredictable permutations that both propel it forward and rip it apart only to somehow reset it.
Through the play, Payne explores how individuals react to their partner’s behaviors as the fates randomly intervene. As the story plays out, Marianne passionately shares quantum physics theories, quantum mechanics principles and how actions branching into multiple universes pull people’s lives in all manner of directions. The audience bears witness to alternate versions of their chance meeting at a barbecue, courtship and confessions of infidelity along with various possibilities that include, among other events:, a break up, a brain tumor diagnosis, and post-break up meetup. Lee and Pratt play-dance beautifully as their characters pull, repel, caress, confound, comfort and agitate each other, delivering a snap, crackle and pop performance of dot-dash vignettes replete with moments of recurring dialogue reminiscent of performance poetry. Courtney Glass, an SRT regular, is the director of this captivating production.
“Constellations” plays in tandem with “Of Mice and Men” through October 26 at SRT’s Fallon Theatre, located inside Fallon House at Columbia State Historic Park with evening performances on Friday and Saturday evenings and various matinees. Visit sierrarep.org for more details, performance schedule and to purchase tickets.
Following Sierra Rep, Jr.’s “Cyrano de Bergerac” Nov. 1-2 at Fallon House, next up is “Million Dollar Quartet Christmas,” Nov. 14-Dec. 21 at SRT’s East Sonora Theatre, and “A Christmas Carol,” Dec. 5-21 at Fallon House.
