The expression “opposites attract” does not always apply in the evolution of relationships. Playwright David Auburn’s drama “Summer, 1976”, running now through April 20 at GableStage in Coral Gables, is a dramatic story of how two women who seem to have nothing in common eventually come to appreciate their differences over a period of close to five decades.
The one act, 90 minute play stars actresses Patti Gardner (as Alice) and Sara Morsey (as Diana) set in 1976 in a small college town in Columbus,Ohio. From the beginning, Alice and Diana address the audience onstage about their differences. Alice and Diana met in a community babysitting cooperative and forged a relationship only because their young daughters enjoyed playing with each other.
The bonds of friendship that came instantly with the young children were not shared by their mothers. The women, both dressed in 1976 style clothing, discuss their differences to the audience, with Alice being portrayed as a free spirit hippie by Diana and Diana portrayed by Alice as a more traditional woman who teaches art at a local college.
But as time marches on, the somewhat unconventional Alice, who is married to a professor, becomes more conservative and Diana, a divorced single mother, becomes a lot less traditional than what she seemed to be at first glance.
Despite overt differences, Alice and Diana form an allegiance and become a lot more willing to listen to each other as their lives begin to drastically change over the years. Deep secrets eventually come out as both women become emotionally involved in their lives.
As the play evolves, Alice and Diana learn that unplanned circumstances often forge the bonds of friendship a lot more often than planned intentions as the play evolves into an unexpected climax.
GableStage actors from left to right Patti Gardner and Sara Norsey in Summer,1976.
The beauty of the play comes across through the deep emotions expressed by Gardner and Morsey and the skillful direction by GableStage Artistic Director Bari Newport.
Gardner and Morsey each have had memorable roles in their long, 30 plus years on stage and, as Alice and Diana, show the immense skills they have in creating memorable roles on stage.
This season alone, Gardner shined in her memorable roles in “A Delicate Balance” at Island City Stage in Wilton Manors and “The Last Yiddish Speaker” at Theater Lab in Boca Raton. Morsey was superb in her one woman portrayal of author Joan Didion in the GableStage production of “The Year Of Magical Thinking.”
Seeing both actresses shine together in “Summer, 1976” is a rare treat for audiences to experience.
Along with the drama, Gardner and Morsey also have comic interludes, exchanging sex jokes and talking to each other while the disco music of the 1970s is being played through the scenes.
The 1970s style costumes created by costume designer Brooke Vacca, the creative set created by scenic designer Frank J. Olivia and the lighting design by Tony Galaska all added to the smooth flow of the play.
Playwright David Auburn’s one act two character drama “Summer, 1976” starring Patti Gardner and Sara Morsey is running now through April 20 at GableStage, 1200 Anastasia Avenue in Coral Gables. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday with matinees on Wednesday and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets range from $50-60. For tickets and further information, go to gablestage.org or call 305-445-1119.
