by Emily Edelman
Nick Payne’s “Constellations,” currently being staged by Living Room Theatre in North Bennington, Vermont, was written to be played by two actors working through the relationship of physicist Marianne and beekeeper Roland. LRT utilizes six actors (three for each part), which might be confusing in any other play but this one.
A central point is the concept of parallel universes and how any and every circumstance there is could play out multiple times with multiple possibilities, and many of the scenes are replayed several times with different outcomes. With that in mind, having numerous actors portray the two characters works perfectly and is not at all confusing thanks to the organizational skills of director Kirk Jackson, who moves his actors deftly around the swimming pool. Yes — a swimming pool. LRT has set its production in the unused swimming pool on the grounds of the Park-McCullough Historic Governor’s Mansion, which allows for an intriguing and unusual vantage point while furthering LRT’s mission of producing innovative performances that invite the audience to develop personal connections to the material.
The actors are costumed in similar clothing that varies slightly in style and color, giving yet more credence to the idea that anything could and might happen to these characters under infinite probability. Choreographer Randolyn Zinn, who also portrays one of the Mariannes, has placed echoes of waltzing in the characters’ movements throughout the production so that when Roland and Marianne meet up at a ballroom dance class, a deja vu-type revelation of multiple possibilities is extremely palpable.
The completeness of the experience is worth noting: The swimming pool is not immediately visible upon arrival at the beautiful grounds; and the short, peaceful walk that ends in the discovery of an unconventional set is the start of the notion of myriad possibilities. This is a fascinating play made even more so by LRT’s perceptive staging and attention to detail.
Valeri Mudek and Oliverwadsworth in Living Room Theatre’s production of “Constellations” by Nick Payne. 
Mike Broadhurst, Valeri Mudek. Nia Ragini, and Oliver Wadsworth in Living Room Theatre’s production of “Constellations” by Nick Payne. 
Allen McCullough, Randolyn Zinn, Oliver Wadsworth, Valeri Mudek. (Not pictured: Nia Ragini) in Living Room Theatre’s production of “Constellations” by Nick Payne. Photo by Daniela Naranjo Zarate 
Valeri Mudek, Mike Broadhurst, Oliver Wadsworth, Nia Ragini, Allen McCullough and Randolyn Zinn in Living Room Theatre’s production of “Constellations” by Nick Payne. 
Oliver Wadsworth and Nia Ragini also play Roland and Marianne in Living Room Theatre’s production of “Constellations” by Nick Payne. 
Allen McCullough and Randolyn Zinn play Roland and Marianne in Living Room Theatre’s production of “Constellations” by Nick Payne. 
Valeri Mudek & Mike Broadhurst play Marianne and Roland in Living Room Theatre’s production of “Constellations” by Nick Payne. 
Seancolin and Christina Hankins’ set for Living Room Theatre’s production of “Constellations” by Nick Payne. 
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“Constellations” runs through Saturday, Aug. 6, and is staged by Living Room Theatre on the campus of the Park-McCullough Historic Governor’s Mansion, 1 Park St., North Bennington, Vermont. For tickets and more information, go online or call (802) 442-5322. http://www.lrtvt.org/
Playright: Nick Payne. director: Kirk Jackson; cast: Valeri Mudek, Nia Ragini, Randolyn Zinn, Michael Broadhurst, Oliver Wadsworth, Allen McCullough; choreography: Randolyn Zinn; set design: Seancolin and Christina Hankins; set assistant: Phoenix Pedroso; stage manager: Florence Gill; assistant stage manager: Daniela Naranjo-Zarate; American Sign Language coach: Kathy McWaters-Velon; graphic design: Angus McCullough