Backstage Review: ‘Constellations’ at Restless Artists Theater
She is a quantum physicist, he is a beekeeper, their love is inevitable and transcends the multiverse.
~Photos and Review by Dana Nollsch
First, let me tell you that “Constellations” is no ordinary play. Fast paced and deep without being preachy, “Constellations” is a mind bender with laughs and tears. There are somewhere around 50 scenes in just over an hour. The premise is how co-existing universes, or multiverses, affect how love shows up between Marianne, a quantum physicist, and Roland, a beekeeper. With each choice the outcome changes, different timelines are explored, this happens quickly, but the pace feels very comfortable.
The two actors are brilliant as they play off one another with a passionate believability, no matter what timeline they happen to be in. The husband and wife team of Rebekah Bortot and Zachary Bortot play Marianne and Roland respectively. The minimalist set blends with the story, adding three levels to signify the changing of the timeline.
The relationship between Marianne and Roland is complicated, but passionate, infidelity, health issues, and that attraction that transcends even the most thought out scientific theories are explored with each multiversal shift. As the two characters fall in love with each other, the audience falls in love with the two characters as well.
String theory envisions a multiverse in which our universe is one slice of bread in a big cosmic loaf. The other slices would be displaced from ours in some extra dimension of space.
The science behind the story has its basis in the theoretical multiverse and string theory, we have seen this in science fiction and exploring that theory in this play is quite thought provoking indeed; prepare to have deep conversations with your date after seeing “Constellations”. But know this, “Constellations” is a romance above all else with a dash of geek, for flavor.
It is rare that I shed tears after seeing a play, but after seeing “Constellations” I did shed more than a few tears. “Constellations” is a great date night play and highly recommended by both Michelle and I.
Check out the photos in the slideshow.
“Constellations” was written by Nick Payne and first performed in January of 2012 to strong reviews and is directed by Doug Mishler.
“Constellations” is part of Reno’s month-long celebration of Artown.
“Constellations” plays through August 5th at Restless Artists Theatre Company.
The performances are 7/20, 7/21, 7/27, 7/28, 8/1, 8/2, 8/3, and 8/4 at 7:30 pm, and 7/22, 7/29, and 8/5 at 2 pm.
Tickets are $15 General Admission, $8 Students, $12 Seniors/Military, and $20 at the door. To purchase tickets go to: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3484387
