"Annapurna"

July 6, 2016 — It was opening night and the New England premiere of Sharr White's new play, "Annapurna," at the Peterborough Players in Peterborough, New Hampshire. Only two actors held the stage for 90 minutes without intermission in an intense drama, often funny, sometimes poignant, by turns angry and compassionate. Gus Kaikkonen, the Players artistic director, as Ulysses, and Lisa Bostnar, who appears in many Players productions, as Emma, were mesmerizing in the range of emotions demanded by the script. The production was directed for the Players by Keith Stevens.

Emma, unexpected and unannounced, loaded with baggage, barges into Ulysses' realistically cluttered, messy trailer, the creation of scenic designer Charles Morgan and props designer Jessica Ayala. Ulysses is wearing nothing but an apron, occasionally revealing glimpses of his bare backside, much to Emma's disgust. Some of the funniest lines occur during this early portion of the play.

But as the play progresses, a dark side to these two very damaged individuals' relationship is revealed to us. They were once married. Emma's surprise entrance was their first meeting in twenty years. Ulysses is currently suffering from late-stage lung cancer. A poet, he hasn't published in many years. He has a history of drinking. Emma disappeared from his life, along with their five-year-old son, without warning or explanation, twenty years ago. Now here she stands in his run-down trailer in the Colorado mountains. There's much to account for. Forgiveness can be difficult, but not impossible. By the end, Ulysses and Emma have learned much, and so have we, the audience. The origin of the title, "Annapurna," is also revealed.

Unlike movies and television, where facial expressions can tell a lot about a character's feelings, actors on a live stage have to depend more on voice and body language, their faces not as visible to the audience, especially in the farther reaches of the theater. Both actors in this play were excellent, but from my seat just three rows back from the stage, Bostnar's expressions said volumes about her hurt and anger. She has appeared in movies and TV, and usually several productions at the Players during the summer. I always love to watch this gifted actress.

At curtain call, the audience showed their appreciation with a standing ovation for fine performances and the difficulty for only two actors carrying a play.