Someone very wise once said that when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. Not to make light of what we have gone through in the world these past 18 months, but that is truly what we tried to do at TCP. To make the best of an uncontrollable and unparalleled situation. This has been a very trying time for all theatre groups, but it has forced TCP into new directions. We have tried three new styles of performance this year to try to reach our loyal fan base and TCP family; beginning with two online based programs, and following those up with a completely new venture into a series of two person plays, all rehearsing and running at the same time. There were many times this past Spring where we were faced with difficult choices, when the reality of the situation around us put the future of this project into peril. I am proud that we pushed through those moments of uncertainty and that we made it here today to present you with five shows, five talented casts, and five incredible creative teams.

At TCP, we do try to make creative and structural decisions that help us to grow and learn as an organization. Some of this process of “Take Two”, has been to provide a mentor-ship opportunity; to train new talent in the areas of stage management, and direction. I can say wholeheartedly that this has been a tremendous success as I watch and witness growth and accomplishment in real time. These directors and stage managers alongside a veteran production team have put together beautiful shows, all different in their own right. This has been an investment in the future of TCP. And you, our audiences will be able to reap the rewards. Sit back and enjoy…and I’m sorry you can’t have any chocolate covered pretzels, or a glass of wine in your hands. But I personally promise that when we can meet again without any restrictions, masks, or socially distanced rules, you will all get a glass of lemonade on me. Thanks for the continued support!

Danielle Guistini-Crouse
Artistic Director,
The Community Players of New Hamburg

I’ve read quite a few plays in my time as Artistic Director for TCP, but when I read “Constellations” by Nick Payne, I was immediately taken away into a completely new world (or worlds:).  I was hooked.  I went on to read about quantum mechanics and how there is real science out there to back up the concept of multiple universes (what?????)  I went down a rabbit hole…investigated Schrodinger’s Cat, watched youtube videos, pulled out my seasons of “Fringe”, read cool and mind-bending fiction, and started conversations with friends and family about “String Theory” and “modern physics”.  Here is the thing, these conversations always lead a certain way; into a conversation about WHAT IFS. “What if I had taken that job” and “What if I had gone on that trip”, where would I ultimately be today?  Imagine if a version of you had taken that job, and that version of you was now living in a penthouse in Paris?  Because that possibility exists…somewhere on a timeline different from your own, that version of you actually does.  Maybe – if you have a regret in your life about not doing something – perhaps there is a version of yourself that did, and that can bring some peace and solace.

At its centre, that is what this show is about.  Our two characters start on a trajectory when they are born and then the choices that they make lead them in different directions.  What I love about this show is that these characters ultimately always find each other, which puts into question the idea of free will versus fate and destiny.  Each scene unfolds multiple times, and each time it is slightly different.  It is a beautiful, at times funny, resonant and poignant story. 

Working on this play has been the best kind of a directing challenge.  It is far from traditional and it required all of us to be flexible, and open.  It requires the actors to feel every possible emotion, sometimes within mere moments of a previous one.  We worked with one single prop, almost no set, and the entire show’s success is based solely on the performance and vulnerability of the actors.  A very special thank you to my cast, my stage manager, and assistant director for their commitment to this project.  I will remember this special experience fondly. Despite a pandemic, restrictions, and months of uncertainty; together we managed to find a little bit of magic and now we are thrilled to share it with all of you.  Enjoy the show.

Danielle Guistini-Crouse, 
Director
Constellations

The play follows Roland, a beekeeper, and Marianne, a cosmologist through their romantic relationship. Marianne often waxes poetic about cosmology, quantum mechanics, string theory and the belief that there are multiple universes that pull people’s lives in various directions. This is reflected in the play’s structure as brief scenes are repeated, often with different outcomes.

Roland and Marianne meet at a barbecue and become romantically involved. After they’ve moved in together, a confession of infidelity causes them to break up. After some time, they run in to each other at a ballroom dancing class, resume their relationship, and eventually marry. Marianne begins to forget words and has trouble typing. She is told by her doctor that she has a tumor in her frontal lobe and has less than a year to live. The play ends with a flashback to the scene where Roland and Marianne rekindle their relationship in the dance class.

Content Advisory: This show includes strong language and mature subject matter.

Runtime: 120 minutes