CANMORE – Does life exist in a multiverse, and if so, with an infinite number of futures, can two lives be drawn together in every version of existence?
This is the question at the heart of the new production coming to the Pine Tree Players, Constellations.
The DIY Theatre production, written by Nick Payne and directed by Shelby Reinitz, explores how the smallest change in life can dramatically alter the course that life takes.
“This is a play they just finished performing in Calgary and are going to bring to Canmore for three performances from Nov. 24 to Nov. 26,” said Jen Tweddell, president of the Pine Tree Players.
The play follows Marianne, a physicist, and Roland, a beekeeper, who meet at a party and hit it off and go for a drink, although perhaps they didn’t. They go home together, but maybe they don’t. Perhaps Marianne is engaged, or maybe Roland is.
The play will take the audience on a spellbinding exploration of love, science, quantum theory and the infinite possibilities of heartbreak and hope.
"Nick Payne has written such a beautiful script, and our version really kicks things up a step. The idea was to explore how it would feel to have multiple different couples playing out these stories," said Reinitz. "Each pairing has done so much text work to lay the foundation of their partnership, and each journey incredibly different. I think audiences will really love that."
This is also not the first time that DIY Theatre has brought a production to the Pine Tree Players.
“DIY Theatre is a group we have worked with before. We have brought plays with them here before and director Shelby Reinitz has directed at the Canmore Summer Theatre festival,” said Tweddell. “They are a group based in Calgary, but we have done a lot of collaboration with them.”
Last week, Pine Tree Players put on a production of The Coming Out Monologues. Productions usually run for two weeks but this time the decision was made to do two productions over the two weeks.
“Typically, we do two weekends of shows, two-week runs,” Tweddell said. “For The Coming Out Monologues that isn’t feasible because it is quite a vulnerable thing. So a two-week run is a lot for someone to do. We decided to split it up and have the Coming Out Monologues the first weekend, and a different show the second weekend.”
Tickets are $25, with performances at the Canmore Miners’ Union Hall on Nov. 24, 25 and 26. Performances start at 7:30 p.m.
