Members of the community theatre troupe, SOAP Theatre, are working hard putting on the finishing touches of their new production, Beyond Therapy.
In rehearsal since late 2018, they are almost they are almost ready to present the story of a strange, double love triangle, opening on Feb. 1
Beyond Therapy was written by Christopher Durang in the late 70s and remains one of his most frequently-produced plays. It opened off-Broadway with stars like Sigourney Weaver and Stephen Collins. The success of the off-Broadway presentation led to a second run in the late spring of 1982, where David Hyde-Pierce made his stage debut.
The story is set in 1977 New York, when therapist Charlotte Wallace (Diane Gludovatz) has encouraged her patient Bruce (Joel Browne) to place a personal ad, despite being in a monogamous relationship. It is answered by Prudence (Jenn MacNeil) who is surprised by Bruce’s plan to keep his current lover, Bob (Craig Bjornson), in the garage while they marry and have children. The encounter is ill-fated and ends disastrously due to the couple’s incompatibility and Bruce’s rush to seek a premature commitment from the date he just met.
Prudence herself has a dysfunctional relationship with her therapist, Stewart (Trevor Leigh), whose shortcomings are exacerbated by his own insecurities and deep-seated jealousy of Prudence’s attention to Bruce.
Things come to a head in the restaurant where the waiter Andrew (Tristan Duursma) never seems to show up.
Five performances are scheduled at Venables Theatre at 6100 Gala St. in Oliver. Curtain time is 7:30 p.m. on 1,2,8 and 9as well as a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. on Feb. 3. Reserved tickets are available online at www.venablestheatre.ca, in person at the theatre’s ticket office, Tuesday through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. or purchase by phone at 250-498-1626 during the same office hours. Some tickets are also available at Your Dollar Store With More in Osoyoos. Purchase early for a discount from day-of-show prices.
The cast (L-R) in the cast photo are Diane Gludovatz, Joel Browne, Jenn MacNeil, Trevor Leigh, Tristan Duursma (standing) and Craig Bjornson.
