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Review: Shooting Star at Dreamcatcher Repertory Theatre

Rick Busciglio's photo
Northern New Jersey Theater Examiner

"Ensemble theatre with humor and heart" now at the critically acclaimed Dreamcatcher Repertory Theatre in South Orange. That's what you will find on stage in a wonderful, sensitive two-character romantic comedy ...The Shooting Star at the cozy black box theater at the Baird Center.

Have you ever wondered what you would say if you were to meet a first love many years after you went your separate ways?  Playwright Steven Dietztakes us to that place and situation in a most authentic manner in his bittersweet play. 
 
The entire play is set in a mid-America airport lounge during a major winter blizzard that has caused, of course, utter havoc with flight schedules. Elena Carson, played with perfection by Dreamcatcher's Artistic Director Laura Ekstrand, is a 40 something hippie-holdout from Austin who spots her 'one and only true love' from her college years among the fellow stranded travelers. If this was a film, Judy Garland would be singing Harold Arlen's classic song of lost love "The Man That Got Away" in the background. 

The "man," Reed McAllister, is played with equal perfection by Dreamcatcher Rep member Harry Patrick Christian. McAllister is no longer a save the world counter-culture student of the 1970's, but a conservative mid-level business man suffering the pressures of modern life, in this case, a pre-teen age daughter who is acting like a man's pre-teen age daughter, (all men will understand this difficult time when a father is viewed as the least cool man on the planet), a wife of little or no loyalty, an employer who wants business results or else....AND a romantic curiosity about his early love. 

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The title comes from Bob Dylan's song Shooting Star...Seen a shooting star tonight, And I thought of you, You were trying to break into another world, A world I never knew, I always kind of wondered if you ever made it through, Seen a shooting star tonight, And I thought of you.
 
Does this accidental encounter have life-altering consequences for them? Will they rekindle their relationship?...all the answers await at the Baird Center Theater (Ticket information is below). 
 
A word about Laura Ekstrand and Harry Patrick Christian: Just watching these two on stage together... regardless of the material... is a delight in its self, but what a bonus to have them together in this fine play. 
 
Dreamcatcher’s production of Shooting Star has been ably directed by David Christopher . His staff includes  Scott McGowan-Stage Manager (one of the best actors in NJ professional theatre), and Paula Clarkson- Assistant Stage Manager.  The design team includes Jorge Arroyo-Lighting,Wesley Krantz-Set, and Mike Magnifico-Sound. The Managing Director of the Company is Steve McIntyre.
  
This is the New Jersey premiere of Steven Dietz's Shooting Star. Ithas played in prominent regional theatres since it was commissioned in 2008 by the Denver Center Theatre Company.The Dreamcatcher production will play through the 29th of January (2012). 

Performances are Friday and Saturday nights at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m.  Tickets are $30 for adults and $25 for seniors and students, with special rates for subscribers and groups.  Purchase tickets online at www.dreamcatcherrep.org or by calling Brown Paper Tickets at 1-800-838-3006.  Seniors pay only $15 on Senior Sunday, the January 15 matinee, after which there will be a talkback with the director and cast. 

Performances are at The Baird, located at 5 Mead Street in Meadowland Park, a few blocks from the center of downtown South Orange. Ample free parking on site. The facility is wheelchair accessible.  Assistive Listening devices for the hearing impaired and advance large print scripts are available by prior arrangement.  To purchase tickets or for information on any of Dreamcatcher Repertory Theatre's programs, please visit www.dreamcatcherrep.org or contact Dreamcatcher Repertory Theatre at The Baird, 5 Mead Street, South Orange, NJ 07079, 973-378-7754, ext. 2228.

Reviewed by Rick Busciglio    January 14, 2012

Laura Ekstrand and Harry Patrick Christian
Laura Ekstrand and Harry Patrick Christian
Photo credit: 
Steve McIntyre
Baird Community Ctr
40.74962 ; -74.25817

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Rick is semi-retired from a career in broadcasting. Today, He serves on the board of Chester Theatre Group in Chester, New Jersey. Also,he lectures internationally (via Cruise ships) and throughout the New Jersey area on the great productions, performers and composers of the American musical...

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