Review By Cynthia Terry, Front Row Reviewers
Daydreamer Theatre’s production of Constellations by Nick Payne, directed by Alexis Boss, offers a truly unique experience. Performed under the stars in an intimate outdoor setting, the play invites the audience to explore love, time, and choices.
Upon entering, audience members are greeted with warm smiles while ushered down a beautiful, rustic path into an open field. The sound of crickets chirping and the glow of soft lights instantly create a place of peace as we settle in under the stars. The audience’s quiet excitement before the show reflects the feeling of telling stories around the campfire.
The small stage is used to its fullest, with the actors skillfully navigating the space. Liz Whittaker (Marianne) impresses with her ability to subtly transform into different versions of the same character across various realities using slight changes in posture and tone. Kacey Spadafora (Roland) complements this with a performance rich in emotional range. His character alternates between gentleness and bursts of intense anger and fear, making each moment unpredictable. Their chemistry on the stage is evident. With the personalities of each character constantly changing, the actors face the challenge of playing off of each other’s energy throughout the entire play. A standout moment being the repeated interaction where Marianne convinces different versions of Roland to attempt licking his elbow—a playful introduction that sets the tone for the characters’ dynamic throughout the play.
Directing a play with such a small cast, Boss masterfully uses simplicity to convey the complex concept of multiple realities. From the nuanced lighting to the soft transitional sounds, every detail is carefully crafted to guide the audience through the shifting dimensions of the story. Boss’s direction ensures that even the most subtle movements have deep meaning, making the abstract feel tangible and the intricate plot accessible.
The lighting designer and production manager, Adam Gowers uses cool-toned lights, transitioning so seamlessly that the audience is hardly aware of its partnership with the mood changes. A soft purple glow on the backdrop accompanied with shining Christmas lights, resembles the day shifting to night just as stars begin to appear in the sky. The sound design is the selling point. All the audio, including the voices from the actors, come directly through personal radios given to the audience at arrival. Because of this, no words are lost in the complexities of dialogue on the stage, making it a truly one-of-a-kind experience. I particularly appreciate the moment when a laughing track plays through the radio to make one scene randomly turn into a sitcom.
One of the most memorable scenes involves a silent segment performed entirely in sign language. Despite the lack of spoken words, the emotions are conveyed powerfully through facial expressions and body language, highlighting the play’s emotional depth. Even the slight sounds of their heavy breathing, added to the intensity of the scene.
The frequent use of mature language, including the F-word, along with sexual references and dark themes, adds realism but may not be suitable for all audiences.
Constellations is more than just a play; it’s an exploration of time and the choices we make while we are here on this earth. What do we do with the time we are given? This challenges us not to linger on the past, get hung up on the future, or dwell on the “what ifs” of life, but instead to focus on what we have now and how we choose to use it.
Daydreamer Theatre presents Constellations by Nick Payne
Open field, Mapleton, UT (Exact location will be sent upon booking)
August 22-25, 2024 8:30 PM
Tickets: $25.00 + $0.63 service fee
Contact: daydreamertheatre@gmail.com
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