Audiences at Vagabond Players production of Lawrence Roman’s domestic comedy, Alone Together, are coming out smiling. They are also laughing and exchanging stories, for the play focuses on an issue that is plaguing many of today’s Baby Boomers: What do you do when the kids are just too comfortable at home to branch out on their own, and— never mind those ‘Failure-to-launchers’—what do you do when the ones that have left decide to come home again?
The couple in the play have spent thirty years raising three active sons. Now that the nest has finally emptied, they are looking forward to being alone together. Time to bring out the champagne and relax by the fireside? Well, not quite, because as one son goes out the door, two more return, having discovered that life just isn’t that great out in the real world, and the hope for a rekindled romance for Mum and Dad is dashed. Instead, the frustrated couple find themselves troubleshooting the amatory pursuits of the younger generation. Before long, the third son is back, and the beleaguered parents realize that they have to make some tough decisions. It’s time for parents’ rights to take precedence and for children to stand on their own two feet.
Ross Friesen and Gemma Martini turn in delightful performances as George and Helene, the couple who want to be alone together, and Ryan J. Johnson, Keaton Mazurek and Boris Bilic are hilarious as the three sons who have no conception that Mum and Dad can actually enjoy life without them. Carly June Friesen shines as the girl who comes to stay, and the fine team of performers ensure a thoroughly enjoyable evening at the theatre.
Ably directed by Dale Kelly, Alone Together runs January 30 – February 22, Thursday to Saturday – 8:00 pm, Sunday matinees – 2:00 pm: Bernie Legge Theatre, Queens Park, New Westminster. Reservations: 604-521-0412 or book online: reservations@vagabondplayers.ca
[box]Photographs by Craig Premack.[/box]