I had the opportunity over the weekend, because I bought a ticket, to see Craig Wright's play "The Pavilion" at the Westport Country Playhouse in Connecticut. I know Craig has written other plays, but in my world he's best known for creating "Dirty Sexy Money" and writing episodes of "Brothers & Sisters," "Lost" and "Six Feet Under." I love DSM! In a season with too few good shows DSM is a stand out. Seriously, you have all summer to catch up on the episodes that aired before it returns in September.
Back to the play. "The Pavilion" is about Peter and Kari who are at their high school's 20-year reunion party, but haven't seen in each other since senior year of high school when they were voted "Cutest Couple." Kari became pregnant that year and Peter left town. Kari stayed, got a job at the bank, married someone else in town and has been going through the motions of life. Peter left for the twin cities, is back for the reunion and hopes to right his wrong by admitting to Kari he still loves her and made a terrible mistake all of those years ago.
It might not sound like a romantic comedy, but it is. There was a narrator who is absolutely hilarious, interacts with the audience and then plays every guest at the reunion - male and female- aside from Kari and Peter. The other two actors were great in their roles. I only recognized Tracy Middendorf who has done tons of guest spots on TV dramas including Alias which is what I remembered her from right away. The music was from the late 80s which was awesome. Craig Wright tells stories with such heart and humor and he did so again with this play. From the theater's website: It is about the human condition, about mistakes and about regret. What happens if you made a wrong decision in the past? What if you ran away when you should have stayed? Can you change time and do it all over again, but differently, if you and your old high school girlfriend want to just badly enough?
I laughed, had moments of sadness and could actually feel how hurt and confused both Kari and Peter felt. Craig Wright wrote an amazing play. One line I loved is from Kari to Peter after he says he's sorry for leaving and not calling, "Sorry is just a word people use when nothing can be done." Whoa. So simple when read, but becomes hauntingly true when spoken out loud.
The play ends at the end of the month so if you can't see it just check Craig's imdb page and find out when you can catch something else he has done. You won't be disappointed. I need to add, my seats were 4th row center orchestra for only $60 bucks each. You can't find a deal like that at a Broadway show. I'm also glad I was a few rows back because the actor playing Peter was a spitter when he had to yell. Ew.
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