by Macey Levin
Though in London, Roland and Mary live in two different worlds. He, a beekeeper, is rooted in his earthbound, everyday work while she is a theoretical physicist who studies the cosmological theories of the universe. They are the only two characters in Nick Payne’s Constellations currently riveting the audience in a superb production at The Ancram Center for the Arts, Ancram, New York.
The couple meet at a barbecue and become romantically involved. They move in together, but separate after each confesses to infidelities. Some time later they meet at a ballroom dancing class and renew their relationship. The plot is superceded by the thematic elements that examine the options they follow, either knowingly or by chance. The play moves back and forth in time in a fittingly disjointed exploration of how choices affect them individually and as a couple in love.
The acting by Drew Ledbetter and Andrus Nichols is compelling. Roland and Mary are an engaging couple; as their characters evolve the playwright employs flashbacks dictating that the actors’ personalities change in an instant. Their concentration and timing evokes laughter and empathy. The couples fluent and intense performances are supported by British accents which seem true and consistent.
The production is a technical wonder. Sarah Edkins’ design is dominated by a white backdrop framing imagined symbols of theoretical concepts which appear and disappear. This helps to create the mood of the show as does Brendan F. Doyle’s sound design which underscores virtually every second of the production. It is not intrusive, but it allows the audience to feel each moment as it complements the tone of an individual scene. Various singular sounds introduce and sustain the pace of the play. Evan Anderson’s lighting is impressive. His use of color, shadows, darkness and brilliance give body to the production. All of these elements create a dynamic theatrical experience.
The direction by Jeffrey Mousseau, one of the co-founders of The Ancram Center, fulfills playwright Payne’s intentions. Though it is an intellectually-oriented play, the emotional range he establishes with each character absorbs the audience’s attention. Kinetic staging fills an empty stage with movement as the actors sprawl on the floor, literally and dramatically dance around each other and open each scene in different poses. The gentle moments are touching. Every gesture says something. Mousseau’s work is a lesson in sensitive and intuitive directing.
Ancram Center offers a variety of programs many of which are community-oriented. This production of Constellations is representatve of the level of artistry that identifies the company in all its endeavors.
Constellations by Nick Payne; Director: Jeffrey Mousseau; Cast : Drew Ledbetter (Roland) Andrus Nichols (Mary); Scenic Design: Sarah Edkins; Lighting design: Evan Anderson; Sound design: Brendan f. Doyle; Costume design: Jaysen Engel; Voice and dialect coach: Paul Ricciardi; Director of production: Ruth Moe; Stage Manager: Hannah Schiffer; Running time: 65 minutes, no intermission; 8/16-8/25; Ancram Center for the Arts, 1330 County Route 7, Ancram, NY, 12502, United States(518) 329-0114 INFO@ANCRAMCENTER.ORG https://www.ancramcenter.org/