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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