Cariani’s latest play hits the stage
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Nationally-recognized and award-winning playwright and Presque Isle native John Cariani’s latest endeavor hit the stage this week, with the Portland Stage premiere of “Love/Sick,” a series of funny and sad love stories — some gone wrong and others gone right — exploring the complications of “romance in the suburban jungle.”
John Cariani
Photo courtesy of Portland Stage
“THE SINGING TELEGRAM” is one of 10 twisted love stories ranging from wildly comedic to deeply poignant that make up John Cariani’s latest play, “Love/Sick,” premiering this week at the Portland Stage Company. Pictured are Louise (played by Patricia Buckley) and the Singing Telegram Man (played by Torsten Hillhouse) as Louise learns she’s being dumped.
From a bride-to-be whose literally cold feet are holding up her marriage, to a career-minded couple who forgot to have a baby, this world premiere production is a romantic comedy for imperfect lovers and dreamers. Following in similar fashion to Cariani’s earlier works — “Almost, Maine” and “Last Gas” — “Love/Sick” is made up of several vignettes depicting the ups and downs common to modern-day relationships.
“‘Love/Sick’ is a collection of 10 twisted love stories ranging from wildly comedic to deeply poignant. The common thread between them all is in their exploration of the darker and less-than-perfect sides of romance,” explained Cariani.
In “Obsessive Impulsive,” a man and a woman, both diagnosed with Obsessive Impulsive Disorder, fall in love at first sight at a bar.
“However, since they’re both in treatment for their wild impulses, they admit they can’t safely be together,” he said.
In “The Singing Telegram,” Louise is sure she’s about to receive a marriage proposal when a telegram arrives at her door.
“The telegram man takes a liking to her and she has to pry his message out of him: she’s being dumped,” Cariani continued.
In “Uh Oh,” a newly-married couple, Bill and Mary, realize they may have become bored with one another.
“Thinking she is ‘one of those people who kills the people they love most when they’re bored,’ Mary pulls a gun on Bill — and shoots him. Fortunately, it’s a water gun,” notes Cariani.
“Lunch and Dinner” begins when Mark nonchalantly tells his wife Kelly that he “had sex for lunch” at his company’s luncheon.
“Kelly reveals she did too, a few weeks ago, but though they’ve been famished for intimacy with each other, they lose their appetites,” he said.
In “Forgot,” Jim realizes that while she and her husband Roger are literally keeping up with the Jonses in every other way, they forgot the most important thing in their schedule: to have the baby.
“And neither of them are quite sure what’s stopping them … except them,” Cariani said.
And in “Destiny,” a once-divorced couple, Emily and Jake, serendipitously meet at a singles bar.
“Both are coincidentally single again and there’s a spark between them, but they agree to move forward — because the third time’s the charm,” he said.
Each play in “Love/Sick,” according to Cariani, portrays a relatable scenario of relationships in modern suburbia, from the ruined wedding day in “The Answer” to the revelation of pregnancy in “Chicken.” But each scenario, through Cariani’s quirky comedy and magical realism, transcends its ordinary circumstances and asks, ultimately, what two people in love can hope for from each other.
Previews began Tuesday, March 26, and continued Wednesday and Thursday — all at 7:30 p.m. Opening night is slated for Friday, March 29, at 7:30 p.m. Regular performances are scheduled for: Wednesday-Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, 4 and 8 p.m.; and Sunday, 2 p.m. Performances are also planned for Tuesday, April 16, at 7:30 p.m.; and Thespian Thursday on April 18 will offer a 2 p.m. show. Tickets are: $34 for preview week, Tuesday-Thursday, March 26-28; all other Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays are $40; Saturday and Sunday performances are $44.
Group discounts are available for seniors 65 and older, students and groups of 10 or more. Other programs related to the play are also planned.
For more information or to buy a ticket, call the box office at 774-0465 or e-mail boxofficeportlandstage.org or visit www.portlandstage.org. Portland Stage is located at 25A Forest Avenue, Portland.
