23 May 2013 04:29 PM EST
-by Drew Kolar, Editor; Image: (Image Source: Jesse Kane-Hartnett)
Dating is a crazy experience, especially here in New York City: more often than not, we meet people who seem compatible at first but turn out to be complete lunatics—and rarely do we ever meet someone totally randomly, usually relying more on friends of friends, comfortable social settings or internet dating services for our companionship needs.
Seascape with Sharks and Dancer, however, is completely unconventional as a love story, instead exploring an unlikely couple’s time together, from the bizarre meeting and blossoming romance, through to the relationship’s ultimate decay.
Written in 1974 by Don Nigro, Seascape manages to tell a story that is relevant even today. It is equal parts comedy and drama and focuses on Tracy and Ben, who evolve from perfect strangers to a wonderfully dysfunctional couple and ultimately end as two broken human beings, each one succumbing to their own weaknesses. The meeting is completely by chance: Ben has rescued Tracy from drowning off the coast of Cape Cod, and while she is at first demanding and crazy, Ben quickly falls for her—leading to a dynamic coupling that comes to an emotional climax.
This production of Seascape, directed by Jesse Kane-Hartnett, is especially timely, as one major plotline revolves around Tracy’s decision to have an abortion—a subject the media is all too familiar with thanks to ongoing legislative debates. While Tracy simply sees the fetus as a lifeless thing inside of her, Ben sees it as his child—and more importantly, a representation of their relationship. While Ben is passive throughout the play, he finally speaks out—only to realize that he can’t win over Tracy’s madness or his own uncontrollable feelings for her.
Pëtra Denison (Tracy) and Dan Lovley (Ben) in Seascape with Sharks and Dancer
It is also the story of two people with deep-seeded issues: while Tracy is unstable and manic, Ben is a passive loner who has trouble standing up for himself. Actress Pëtra Denison portrays Tracy perfectly and is believable to an impressive degree. Denison’s delivery encompasses Tracy’s hysterical nature perfectly, complete with run-on sentences and barely time to breathe in between. Dan Lovley as the meek Ben is her exact opposite, and he plays the passive character well, keeping restrained until his final meltdown at the end. They are perfect foils to each other through the growth—and ultimate destruction—of the characters’ relationship.
With a simple set and a small yet dedicated crew, Seascape is an entertaining and thought-provoking piece all audiences can appreciate. The intimacy of the space adds to the production’s value, leaving two amazing actors to tell a beautifully tragic story that anybody can relate to in some form.
Seascape with Sharks and Dancer runs through May 26 at the Chain Theatre, located at 21-28 45th Rd. in Long Island City. Show times are 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, and tickets are $15, available via Eventbrite or at the box office before the show. For more information, visit the production’s Facebook page.
