Theater review: Schenectady Civic Players production explores our 'Random' notwithstanding parallel paths

Sara Paupini and Jason Biszick in

SCHENECTADY — Steven Dietz'due south 2016 play "This Random World," now in a superb product at Schenectady Civic Playhouse, is subtitled "The Myth of Serendipity," suggesting in that location may be more than than take a chance going on in life; that is, is there a guiding principle or hand in the universe at work, 1 we are too unaware to encounter? Perhaps mystics know about it, right? Or those with what nosotros phone call a sixth sense?

By turns humorous, startling, sweet and distressing, this intermissionless series of scenes follows the lives of siblings Tim and Beth Ward (Jason Biszick and Sara Paupini); their female parent, Scottie (Joanne Westervelt); Claire (Laura Graver); Gary (Gabriel Hage); and Scottie's caregivers, sisters Bernadette and Rhonda (Karen Kolterman and Jennifer Van Iderstyne, respectively).

At one point or another they see each other, but never know that they're connected — with fewer than six degrees of separation, actually. But the audience knows, so a little dramatic irony is at play, leading u.s. to think "If only they knew."

Simply the beauty office of Dietz's gentle script is that this situation probably happens all the time to us in real life. Ah, those manipulating Greek gods!

Each of the roughly dozen scenes — ever an encounter between two characters only — revolves around familiar issues: parents and children, love, gamble, the meaning of piece of work and, of course, death, which hovers over everything.

Director Cristine Loffredo, who has participated in many SCP productions over the years, appears here as SCP director for the first time, aided by assistant manager Marker Stephens and producer Kathy Friscic. So familiar is Loffredo with the talent in Schenectady that she has, of form, surrounded herself with a tech squad and performers of the commencement rank. And she has paced each episode very well, and connected the gear up changes smoothly and meaningfully. Kudos.

Sound designer Van Iderstyne has created a subtle and effective underscore, including music, rain and air current. And so, likewise, does veteran Don Mealy enhance each scene with apt lighting gestures. Duncan Morrison's abstract set design makes empty flick frames, mirrors and windows all possible. Marcia Thomas' costumes, Elise North. Charlebois'southward props and Marty O'Connor's phase management (and brief cameo) maintain the high product standards of

SCP. (The imitation People mag, however, was a lark at Sunday's matinee.)

The actors splendidly create this assortment of characters looking for pregnant. Karen Kolterman's Bernadette has been the adored child, first by her mother and now past Scottie, for whom she's a caregiver. Merely Kolterman allows u.s. to see a tranquillity woman living, perchance, in the shadows of a full life.

Hage and Paupini create a funny and tender moment in a scene in Nepal; Graver delivers a couple of bout-de-force monologues, in which she laments, with humor and pathos, "I suck at life"; Biszick's Tim is more acted upon than acting, and a clumsy effort to find himself in his mid-30s backfires: Biszick captures the poignance; Van Iderstyne and Paupini share a moving scene in Tokyo, with Van Iderstyne providing the audience with cathartic tears; and Westervelt, with shiny eyes and easily searching the air, is captivating as the family matriarch who has seen it all and gets upwardly every forenoon to capeesh more of it.

I'll be going over bits of the script and details of the performances in my head for some fourth dimension, and then rich is the experience of "This Random Globe."

'This Random Earth'

WHERE: Schenectady Civic Playhouse, 12 South. Church St.

WHEN: November. 17-21

HOW MUCH: $xx

MORE INFO: 518.382.2081; civicplayers.org

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Categories: Entertainment, Life and Arts

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