Between water pistol assassinations and spouses ordering adultery for lunch and dinner, love becomes the good, complicated kind of infectious in John Cariani’s Love/Sick.
Presented Nov. 9–13 by Douglas College’s departments of Theatre and Stagecraft & Event Technology, the play showcases romance in all its forms through eight one-act performances.
The common thread in Love/Sick’s various shorts is their setting: a Friday night at 7:30pm at the “SuperCenter,” a fictional grocery store. Metaphors turned shamelessly literal drive the play’s comedy. In one example, a woman seeking to find herself post-marriage struggles to find said self somewhere in her garage. Another case features a man who finds himself literally stunned, his nervous system overloaded, whenever he hears the words “I love you.”
As a self-described hopeless romantic, Tamara McCarthy, the director, was drawn to Love/Sick by the relatability of the characters in spite of their bizarre circumstances. Though each of the eight one-acts tells a complete story on their own, collectively they present what McCarthy calls a “love cycle,” with the play’s thematic commentary on romance growing more complex and mature with each scene.
“I love the blur of reality and absurdity that Love/Sick presents,” says McCarthy. “From youthful love at first sight to darker, grittier relationships, our show features every flavour of romance in a world that is like, yet unlike, our own.”
Six actors will portray 16 characters. The cast includes Jodie Aguinaldo (Surrey), Darren Bolognese (Maple Ridge), Julie Koebel (Langley), Sami Maia (Brasilia, Brazil/Burnaby), Dalyn Rimar (Burnaby) and Kelly Zhou (Surrey).
Douglas College’s Diploma in Theatre aims to prepare students to enter the performance industry as well-rounded creative professionals, as well as to continue their theatre education should they choose. Colleen Maybin, Director of Performing and Fine Arts, is thankful for the dedication of the students, faculty, staff and professional designers who have come together to stage this play.
“For many of the cast and crew, Love/Sick will be their first opportunity to perform in front of a live audience in almost two years,” says Maybin. “We’re incredibly proud of them and their commitment to their craft despite the barriers they’ve encountered along the way. This show explores the pain and the joy that comes with being in love, and I expect audiences will see something of themselves in the characters.”
Performances of Love/Sick take place at the Studio Theatre at the New Westminster Campus Nov. 9, 10, 12 and 13, at 7:30 pm. There will also be two matinees, Nov. 10 at 12:30 pm and Nov. 13 at 2pm. Tickets can be bought online at lovesickdc.eventbrite.ca or at the door. In accordance with COVID-19 protocols, attendees will need to wear a mask as well as present both proof of vaccination and ID.
For more information, visit https://www.douglascollege.ca/news-events/2021/nov/lovesick-theatre-production.
Douglas College is the largest degree-granting college in B.C., combining the academic foundations of a university and the employer-ready skills of a college to graduate resilient global citizens who adapt, innovate and lead in a changing world.
For more information, visit douglascollege.ca
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