The play opens with Jack (William Vaughn) arriving at the luxurious seaside home in Escondido, Mexico, his mother, Nancy (Pat Langille) has recently moved into. Nancy hasn't seen Jack, nor had any contact with him, in a year, but she's delighted to see him. Jack's father had passed away, leaving Nancy a widow. Nancy announces she has a surprise, and opens a bottle of champagne to celebrate. Then in walks Charles (Richard Brundage). Nancy announces she and Charles are married.
Charles is mild-mannered and affectionate, in contrast to Nancy's previous husband who was abusive and unloving. Nancy and Charles are deliriously happy together. At first, Jack seems happy to meet Charles, but there's an underlying tension. Jack adored his father, and resentment toward Charles starts to build.
As the play progresses, we learn Jack has squandered every cent of the inheritance his father left him and has done time in prison for assault during his year of absence. His heavy drinking and hostility toward Charles begin to tear apart Charles and Nancy's loving relationship. Still later, we learn Charles has unpleasant secrets of his own. Jack's increasing rage destroys his mother's happy, comfortable new life, and eventually leads to a violent act.
The play reminds us how fragile happiness is, and how easily resentment can destroy it. The performances by all three actors are excellent. This production lives up to the Winnipesaukee Players' long-standing reputation for quality theater. Check out their website for their playlist for the rest of the season:
http://www.winnipesaukeeplayhouse.org/
