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THE BASICS: CONSTELLATIONS, a play by Nick Payne, directed by Michael Wachowiak, starring Kristin Bentley as Marianne and Chris Avery as Roland, presented by Second Generation Theatre at Sheas Smith Theatre, opened on March 11 and runs through March 26, Thursdays Fridays at 7:30, Saturdays at 8, Sundays at 2.secondgenerationtheatre.com (716) 508-7480 Neither proof of vaccination nor masks required, but are encouraged. Runtime: 90 minutes, no intermission. The full-servicebar opens before and after.

THUMBNAIL SKETCH: Roland, a bee-keeper, and Marianne, a physicist, meet randomly at a barbeque and commence an on-again-off-again relationship. Roland likes bees because their lives are rigidly ordered: theres a queen, her drones, and the workers. Each bee knows its job and its lifespan is short. Marianne likes talking about Big Bang Theory topics including quantum mechanics, string theory, and the fact that there are multiple universes where the same action can produce myriad results. In this play, various scenes are repeated and then go in wildly different directions. Towards the end, Roland bargains for more time, but Marianne tells him that: The basic laws of physics dont have a past and a present. Time is irrelevant at the level of atoms and molecules. Its symmetrical. We have all the time weve always had.

THE PLAYERS, THE PLAY, AND THE PRODUCTION: We are in a golden period of post-lockdown theater where local production companies are refreshed and well-rehearsed. I first saw CONSTELLATIONS as a reading offered by Second Generation Theatre back in April of 2019, three years ago, at the time directed by Michael Wachowiak with Kristin Bentley and Ben Michael Moran. In the intervening three years, Chris Avery has come on board while Moran, seen recently on stage at the Irish Classical Theatre, is currently in PRIDE AND PREJUDICE at The Kavinoky Theatre. I admire Moran and Avery both equally. SGT has what in sports is called a deep bench of spectacular talent.

What has changed over the three years? For the most part, its more intense, amplified by the stunning 1-2-3 punches of set, lighting, and sound designed by Chris Cavanagh. The entire play is a series of scenes, getting longer as the play develops, separated by blackouts, and often with otherworldly noises in between. The humor is still there but the anguish of the couple is much more palpable with all the theatrical magic in play.

I was very impressed by the directing of Michael Wachowiak who, as an actor, has been getting stronger by leaps and bounds, but here as the director proves himself equally talented. This play has to be a bear to direct because so many of the scenes seem to repeat themselves before changing direction. Within a few seconds, Wachowiak has to communicate same only different and then do that over and over and over. When you go, look at the faces of both Avery and Bentley. For 90 minutes they may repeat phrases as called for in the script, but they never repeat facial expressions or body language.

I was very impressed by the directing of Michael Wachowiak who, as an actor, has been getting stronger by leaps and bounds, but here as the director proves himself equally talented.

And kids, dont believe everything that you read on the internet. His direction of CONSTELLATIONS is very impressive, but this was NOT (as I saw on one post) his directorial debut! Back in October 2019, he directed the hilarious DISENCHANTED at MusicalFare which I reviewed here.

Fans of the television sitcom The Big Bang Theory or PBSs Nova or any show with Neil DeGrasse Tyson will enjoy this play. There is no mention of Schrodingers Cat, the hypothetical animal which may be simultaneously both aliveanddead as a result of its fate being linked to a random subatomic event that mayor may notoccur. However, there are discussions of quantum mechanics, relativity, and then string theory thatattempts to reconcile the previous two. Its heady stuff. There will be a post-show panel following the March 19 performance, but whether you attend that or not, you might want to read the paragraph about String Theory and The Multiverse by UB Physicist Dr. William H. Kinney on page 10 of the CONSTELLATIONS program which is accessible at the theater via QR code or you can see the entire program here.

Dont get me wrong. This is not a science lecture. Its a play. With a dramatic arc and all that good stuff. And, fortunately for us English majors, the play is also about a couple, and love, and anger, and anguish, and all sorts of messy human things.

I would make a real effort to attend.

*HERD OF BUFFALO (Notes on the Rating System)

ONE BUFFALO: This means trouble. A dreadful play, a highly flawed production, or both. Unless there is some really compelling reason for you to attend (i.e. you are the parent of someone who is in it), give this show a wide berth.

TWO BUFFALOS: Passable, but no great shakes. Either the production is pretty far off base, or the play itself is problematic. Unless you are the sort of person whos happy just going to the theater, you might look around for something else.

THREE BUFFALOS: I still have my issues, but this is a pretty darn good night at the theater. If you dont go in with huge expectations, you will probably be pleased.

FOUR BUFFALOS: Both the production and the play are of high caliber. If the genre/content are up your alley, I would make a real effort to attend.

FIVE BUFFALOS: Truly superba rare rating. Comedies that leave you weak with laughter, dramas that really touch the heart. Provided that this is the kind of show you like, youd be a fool to miss it!

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CONSTELLATIONS, Second Generation at Shea's Smith, draws the audience in and holds on to hearts and minds for the full 90 minutes. - Buffalo Rising

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. The 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass is among the most wind-dependent holes in professional golf. When its calm, its a stock pitching wedge at the fat part of the green. When its pumping 30-plus miles per hour in and off the left, well, where to begin?

Jacksonville metro-area meteorologists deserve some credit. If were going to hammer them when theyre wrong, its only fair to acknowledge when theyre spot on. Theyve been on the money this week at the Players Championship, correctly predicting when it will rain, how hard and what the wind will be like. They forecasted a borderline gale-force out of the northwest on Saturday afternoon. It arrived right on schedule. On the north-facing 17 thats the worst possible wind for the 140 righties in the field. Anything high in the airs gonna miss short and right. Try and cover it a bit too much and its a pull, which is tough, because theres water there, too. If theres a gust mid-backswing, its not getting there. If the wind dies down mid-backswing, airmail.

Scottie Scheffler has the unfortunate honor of hitting his first shot of the day on the 17th tee at high noon. He is five under for the tournament and coming off two wins in his last three starts, so he must be feeling pretty, pretty good. He pulls 7-iron, his 185 club, from 146 yards. Takes a half swing. Flushes it.

It one-hops off the back of the green and skips into the water. He turns to his caddie Ted Scott, a veteran looper but a relative newcomer to Scotties bag, with a dumbfounded look.

That was a good shot, man," Scheffler says.

Xander Schauffele, clearly spooked by Schefflers 7-iron, pulls an 8 and fans it out right. Not even close. Brooks Koepka figures Xander mishit his, so he feels good about his 8-iron. It balloons. It splashes. Only two of the first 123 tee shots hit at 17 failed to find land. The first three on Saturday, all from top-20 players in the world, all go swimming.

Nine minutes later, after Koepka taps in for double bogey, Collin Morikawa enters the ring. He is the greatest iron player on the planet. Arguably the best since Tiger Woods. He pulls 7-iron but isnt married to it. His caddie senses it.

I love what were doing, J.J. Jakovac says to his boss. Commit to it.

It looks great on the rack, but its the wrong size. His ball runs headfirst into a brick wall of wind, banks off the wooden foundation holding the island green in place, and splashes. Four players, four in the water. One threesome later, Joe Greiner gives Max Homa a version of the same advice: Dont hit it until youre committed, Max. Take your time. He hits quickly, pouncing on a lull in the wind. Safely aboard.

Longtime Golf Channel spotter Jeff Young cant believe how many 7-irons hes seeing. Ive been working this hole for 20 years, and Ive never seen more than two 7-irons in one day. And those were from guys like, you know, Fred Funk.

May I interest you in a 6-iron? Matt Kuchar, fully aware of his physical limitations, grabs his confidently and begins rehearsing a cute little cut move. When its go time, his lower body stops turning but his arms do not. Left of left. It somehow manages to carry the water and land on a narrow slip of turf just in front of those two big grandstands. He makes bogey. Not bad, all things considered.

Club selection becomes quantum physics. Billy Horschel wants to hit 8, but his caddie Mark Fulcher doesnt think its enough. No one trusts or asks more of their bagman than Horschel. He goes with 7. As the ball begins to fall over the putting surface, Horschel begins to panic.

Thats over the green, Fooch.

I knew it! I told you I flight it better than anyone else! I said it. I said it before I hit. I knew it! And that was the PG version.

Horschel three-jacks for triple. He wouldnt be the only one. You couldve sold a 25-foot birdie look for $20,000. Marc Leishman isnt asking for muchhe just wants to see his ball land. It does, barely, and he unleashes a Tiger-esque uppercut.

Not everyone finds it so amusing. Players want good shots to be rewarded and bad ones punished. Collins was a good shot; Denny McCarthys is bad. Really bad. Like, borderline-hozzle bad. But those kind of mishits dont spin, so it cuts through the wind and plops down on the very right corner of the green.

The crowd steadily builds as the afternoon wears on, which only amplifies the anxiety. Those on the hillside left of the hole have a better vantage point for depth perception. They can see if a balls destined for a bath. If they begin to groan, no matter how perfect you think your shot is, its not going to end well. Granted, sometimes its not a mystery. Michael Thompson comes out of one and starts walking to the drop zone in one continuous motion. He doesnt care to see, but it kerplunks halfway between the famous island and that other one back toward 16 green. There is no grass there, unfortunately. Double.

Henrik Stenson leans forward immediately after impact. Hes not sure if he gave it enough. Neither is his caddie, Gareth Lord. It does indeed get there. As the rest of the group trudges toward the green, Lord stays behind to light a cigarette.

Matewere on the green, he says. Im looking forward to this one. You wonder how hell keep it lit in the breeze, but thats his problem.

Scheffler, Schauffele and Koepka are most certainly not looking forward to playing this damned hole for the second time in four hours. But thats how the day shaped up. Players who finished off their first rounds on the back nine in the early afternoon were whisked back out to start Round 2, on the back nine. The strongest gust of the day knocks Brooks hat off. Xanders stays on, but he decides to take it off in an abundance of caution. The tees have been moved up 10 yards but Schauffele goes up a club from the morning and it just barely clears the water. His caddie, Austin Kaiser, grabs a water and shakes his head: This is stupid, man. Scheffler probably agrees. He goes with 7 again. He switches to 8. He switches back to 7. He hits an absolutely horrific shot, a genuine slice that finds the water again.

At four over par Brooks tournament is slipping away quickly; he needs a par in the worst way. This hole is his nemesis. Saturdays first water ball was his ninth on 17 since 2015. He still gets the warmest welcome in the group. Fans love hatless Koepka; it gives them an unobstructed view of the slim-shady do. (His natural hair is creeping up his head and the blonde part is dangerously close to frosted-tips territory). Hes got 8-iron again, but this one has absolutely zero chance. It might actually be moving backwards as it expires a good 30 yards short of the green. He turns around, drops his club and laughs hysterically. The only other option is to cry.

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Players 2022: We eavesdropped on the player-caddie chatter at the 17th, and it was A+ listening - GolfDigest.com