What could be more inauspicious then a dog park and high minded than opera? In playwright Joe Di Pietro’s play The Last Romance this lowly setting becomes the backdrop for a budding romance between two people “ of a certain age” and the arias fly.

This is at first glance a simple in the telling comedy. It follows the trajectory of one time aspiring opera singer 80 year old Ralph Bellini’s wooing of Carol Reynolds whose dog Peaches brings them – though an unlikely pairing -together. But hidden among the laughs in this Hoboken set play are true reflections on family,mortality, regret and loss packaged in a heartfelt desire to live with passion and life embrace – “like in an opera”.

The Sand Lake Center for the Arts Circle Theater production of The Last Romance is being acted and helmed by an actor- directors team of local theater artists who are in or approaching their “ golden years” with local stage regulars George Filieau , Judi Merriam and Deborah Mazzone capturing Di Pietro’s finely drawn geriatric set characters and Sand Lake regular Jerred Hickey ( the “ young man” in the group) providing the operatic grace notes and the longing of one time youthful hope and ambition. First time director collaborators Dennis Skiba and Maureen Baillargeon Aumand round out this production’s roster and proof that life begins decades past 40!

The Last Romance will be on stage at The Sand Lake Center for the Arts March 18, 19, 25 and 26 at 8:00 PM and March 20 and 27 at 2:30.
Ticket information at: slca-ctp.org