By Eva Trieger in Oceanside, California
2004 was a banner year for playwright and actor John Cariani. After being nominated for his role as Motel the Tailor in Fiddler on the Roof, Cariani went on to write Almost, Maine. His play, which premiered at Portland Stage Company, made it to off-Broadway in 2006. Cariani appeared in television series including Law and Order and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel among other very popular and successful shows.
Eric Bishop, Mira Costa Community College professor, reached out to the playwright and was rewarded, not only with permission to read the script, but invited and hosted Cariani for a three-day workshop at MCC! Students were treated to an Acting Workshop, and Playwriting workshop and enjoyed a question-and-answer session.
Bishop brought audiences Darker the Night, Brighter the Stars, a provocative and thoughtful play. As patrons entered the auditorium, we were greeted by nighttime in northern Maine. The play is somewhat of a companion piece to Almost, Maine. This iteration focuses on the younger set, those between 18-23 years old. They are confronting a different set of life questions and challenges.
The 14-member cast explores questions about identity. Many of these young adults wonder what life is like outside of this remote area. Aroostook County, Maine is a rural area about 300 miles north of Portland, Maine. As much as these natives want to experience a bigger life, they also appreciate the night sky of their home. The beauty of the night sky, the shooting stars, the Northern Lights seem to be ingrained in their DNA.
The play is divided into vignettes, each featuring two actors. The actors reveal unique struggles depicting disappointment, confusion, fear, excitement, recognition, hope, dreams and loss. The actors do an amazing job as siblings, lovers, friends and somewhere in between. The awkwardness of the characters is so well inhabited by the actors. The discomfort between a first kiss or a rekindling of a romance is palpable. Kudos to Alan Iturio, Taz Carter, Luna Espinosa, Joseph Armenta, Orion Haessler, Anthony Salazar, Keira Casey, Gabriel Bergseid, Lauren Carranza, Aidan Walsh, Xander Liszt, Eli Hawley, Annabelle Ouellet and Kelsey Jackson.
Mira Costa Community College Theatre is such a fabulous resource for our county. The shows are truly exceptional and tickets are the most affordable in town! These students are given such a fabulous opportunity to grow in their chosen profession as evidenced by Jose Balistrieri and Adam Brody, both of whom have enjoyed MCC as a launch pad for their successful careers in television and film.
Darker the Night, Brighter the Stars closes tomorrow (Sunday). However, the season continues with Something Rotten and Anna in the Tropics. Tickets may be purchased online at https://www.miracosta.edu/performing-arts.html or by phone at 1.800.316.8559
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Eva Trieger is a freelancer specializing in the coverage of the arts.