“Another Marriage”

**** When I saw the title of the latest production at Steppenwolf Theater, I was intrigued. The play, having its World Premiere in Chicago is entitled “Another Marriage” and as someone who has been married several times, I felt like this was one that I had to see! As it turns out, the title is a little misleading, but the play, written by Kate Arrington, is one that truly captures a love story that is just a little different than the one we are used to seeing.
“Boy meets girl” is how it all begins, and this one does just that. Nick ( played to perfection by Ian Barford) does meet and fall in love with Sunny ( an incredible performance by Judy Greer). From that first time, it appears that this is the same old story that we have seen or experienced many times over.

But what if that love became a more complicated situation? What if the love story evolved into one where another party came into the equation? But, on the other hand, what if the original love story continues to evolve at the same time? This story takes us to a place that few of us have ever ventured or even thought about.

Our story is told by Jo ( deftly handled by Nicole Scimeca) who is in many ways our narrator until late in the second act when she joins her “parents” on the set. For those of you unfamiliar with the Ensemble Theater at Steppenwolf, it is an in-the-round stage with stadium seating. Terry Kinney’s direction of this World Premiere takes us in many directions as we watch the couple fall in love, have a child, live with the problems of child-rearing and then watch Nick fall in love with Macassidy ( another shining performance by Caroline Neff). Yes, he moves out to be with her, yet still comes back to Sunny as his love did not go away, just took a leave of absence for a while.
The play is strong. The story is intense. The characters are real! This is 2 hours ( two acts one 15 minute intermission) that will hold you into the story. While the sound (Michael Bodeen and Rob Milburn) is strong, it doesn’t travel as easily in the round, so many lines bounce around. I know that actors do not like wearing microphones, but if they are not going to project to the last row, they need to. The lighting (Heather Gilbert) was spot perfect and I loved the costumes (Mieka van der Ploeg). There is very little in the way of set when there are no walls, but the scenic design includes the furniture and other items so hats off to Robert Brill for his creativity. Michael Salvatore Commendatore’s projections were effective as they used a laptop and cell phone text messages quite entertainingly.

“Another Marriage” will continue thru July 23rd with performances as follows:
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 7:30 p.m. (No evening performance on 7/12)
Saturday 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday 2:30 p.m.

Tickets range from $20 and are available at the theater box office located at 1650 N. Halsted Street, by calling 312-335-1650 or at www.steppenwolftheater.org/myseason
Accessible Performances
Open-captioned Thursday July6th 7:30 p.m. and Saturday July 22nd at 2:30 p.m.
ASL-interpreted Friday, July 14th at 7:30 p.m.
Audio Described and touch tour Sunday July 16th 2:30 p.m. (touch tour at 1 p.m.)
Mask required performance Wednesday, July 12th at 2 p.m.

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “Another Marriage”.