PORT ANGELES — This sweet young couple, seeking help with their relationship issues, hits a glitch.
The therapists want to help but have issues of their own that get in the way.
Fortunately, the story plays out with generous quantities of comedy in “Beyond Therapy,” a play at the Peninsula College Little Theater, 1502 E. Lauridsen Blvd.
The farce, which has been playing on stages around the country since its opening in 1981, is the autumn collaboration of the Peninsula College Drama Department and the Port Angeles Light Opera Association.
Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Saturday night as well as next weekend, Nov. 22-23. (It opened Friday night.)
Tickets are free for current Peninsula College students, $5 for other students, $12 for seniors and $15 for everyone else.
Boy meets girl
“Beyond Therapy” is playwright Christopher Durang’s tale of “the trials and tribulations of boy meeting girl . . . and, well, more than that,” said Peninsula College drama professor Lara Starcevich, who’s directing the show.
“It’s also the story of two therapists, each one helping their respective boy and girl to be able to form healthy relationships,” even with a jealous boyfriend in the mix.
The cast and crew made up of Peninsula College students and other community members: Young Bruce and Prudence are portrayed by Quinton Cornell and Hannah Hendrickson, while Fred Robinson and Sierra Stack play therapists Stuart and Charlotte. Oh, and Pete Griffin plays Bob, Bruce’s live-in lover.
Jonas Brown completes the cast as Andrew the waiter.
Griffin serves as assistant director, Carolyn Keene is stage manager, PALOA’s Richard Stephens is the set designer, Mary Lofstrom is costume designer, and Kirsten Griffin is prop mistress.
People-watching
As the show unfolds, they all tumble toward a cockeyed confrontation about marriage, happiness — and the craziness that can happen along the way.
“If you’re the kind of person who likes to people-watch, you won’t find a more amusing group,” Starcevich said of her cast of characters.
“And if you’ve ever been in a relationship of any kind or hope to be in one, this is the show for you.
“It will either make you feel really good about the relationship you’re in,” she said, “or give you that little nudge that you need to submit that personal ad to Craigslist next week.”
For information abut “Beyond Therapy” and other activities on campus, find the Peninsula College page on Facebook, phone 360-452-9277 or visit www.pencol.edu.
________
Features Editor Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5062, or at diane.urbani@peninsuladailynews.com.
