Feature: MY LOVE | MY LUMBERJACK at B3

In an eerie forest by the sea, far removed from the comfort of her village, Sandra escapes from loneliness into the arms of Peter, her simple, handsome lumberjack. One night, when Sandra is unable to sleep, she ventures into the woods and encounters something otherworldly. Elsewhere, Captain Jabipidy Jones - a regretful, vicious pirate- is preparing to make landfall after complications onboard his ship, Poseidon's Regret. Unable to break free of the questions from her ghastly confrontation, Sandra begins a dangerous journey where many truths collide, and nothing is what it seems. MY LOVE | MY LUMBERJACK is a fairy tale for adults about trust, naïvety, manipulation, darkness, and the hazards of love.

John Perovich said he started writing MY LOVE | MY LUMBERJACK about 10 years ago after binge watching Twin Peaks. He said it was a "bizarre time in his life."

"I had just begun working in residential life at Stockton University outside of Atlantic City, New Jersey and, well, I wasn't really allowed to leave campus at the time. So, I spent A LOT of time in the residence hall, surrounded by freshmen in the first weeks of their college lives, staying up late and watching Twin Peaks ...in the middle of the woods... it was a recipe for something very, very interesting."

"The other major influence to the play," Perovich said, "would be Grimm's fairy tales. I have always been a fan of darker stories and fairy tales (I blame my father's eclectic interests in horror film and tv). What appeals to me is the nature of wishes and evil. Characters in fairy tales often have dreams and wishes, and these manifests themselves as "wants,"and compel the characters to do something to get what they want, which is dramatic action in its simplest form. The nature of evil in these tales - you know - evil is evil in these stories. There isn't the need for psychological readings. No one is wondering why certain characters have become evil. No one cares how an evil character was raised, that he or she was cast away by parents, or suffered a tremendous event that turned them to evil. Evil is evil in the world of fairy tales. So, MY LOVE | MY LUMBERJACK has some serious evil, much like Twin Peaks. There are, of course, moments of light. Those two forces exist in the play - darkness and light."

Director Ilana Lydia, a playwright herself, has much to say about Perovich, his work and the experience of interpreting it for the stage. "I've known John Perovich for over a year. He's always been an extraordinarily kind person, one who is generous with his talents and non-assuming with his ideas. When I found myself in a position to choose shows to direct, his Write Club immediately came to mind as a good source for material. I ended up going with MY LOVE | MY LUMBERJACK because of the strength and peculiarity of the script. It has insistent images, electric moments between characters, and a world within a world that plays like a haunting tune throughout the entire course of the play. One thing that sets this play apart from others is its unique cast of characters. Any one of them could helm a fascinating story on their own. The protagonist is Sandra, a woman awakening to her sexuality while still cloaked in naivety. But there's also Gus, the narrator, who breaks conventions by crossing freely between speaking with the audience and entering the scene as an immersed character. Jabipidy Francis Cornelius Jones is captivating as a pirate captain who sees into other realities and lives a life of true regret. Each character is not only solid, but multifaceted and compelling. I think John's beauty as a writer is his dedication to hearing his characters and representing them truly. B3 intends to do new works which speak directly to the audience and alter their perceptions of reality. Theater is not enough as entertainment. It must also leave a mark. It must be about something, or exploring the implications of some truth. MY LOVE | MY LUMBERJACK is an ideal script for B3 because it presents a unique vision which demands audience members' attention towards a dark, Lynchian fairy tale universe, at least for a short while. The creative process of B3 is also something which is a little different. Because we deal with darker worlds, the actors and designers must form a protective, safe place in which the work can be done. I strive to make rehearsals where emotional experimentation can easily go on, and with the help of my actors, we spend time focusing and clearing energy every day. My designers do not meet in production meetings, but instead have Designer Jam Sessions (or in this case, Session-most was done over the net), which encourage everyone to jump in with ideas, regardless of what title or duties they carry. I am grateful to have had this opportunity to work with John, my cast, and creative team. Life is about interconnections, and I know that everyone who experiences this show will come away slightly changed because of our work on it."

How does it feel for a playwright/director/actor to give over such a beast to another? Perovich waxes lovingly, "I am fortunate to have a strong artistic partnership with Ilana. I was so excited to hear that Ilana would be the Associate Artistic Director at B3 because I believe she has much to offer our theatre community - particularly those artists who are interested in creating theatre that is not a part of the "norm." Ilana takes risks, is thoughtful, pushes boundaries, and is not afraid to make audiences a bit uncomfortable. I believe we can learn much as an audience when we are a bit uncomfortable. I've never learned much from feeling comfortable. I'm proud that B3 has chosen to produce My LOVE | My LUMBERJACK. Ilana and I spoke at length in the pre-production process about the play. I was able to make several rewrites as a result of our conversations. Further, Ilana coordinated a reading of the play before auditions. From this reading-and the subsequent discussion-I was able to make even more rewrites. Ilana consistently creates an engaging, thoughtful, and critical atmosphere that focuses on improving the work, strengthening the process, and nurturing a supportive environment. I wish I was able to attend more rehearsals...I'm currently directing Whisper Sweetly at Brelby Theatre which runs the same time as My LOVE | My LUMBERJACK. Regardless, Ilana and I have kept in touch, we support one another, and I'm so thankful to have her spearheading this production. I look forward to our continued partnership. I hope [audiences] enjoy the mysterious, whimsical, and dangerous world of My LOVE | My LUMBERJACK."

My LOVE | My LUMBERJACK runs September 15, 16, 22, and 23rd at 8 PM, and Sunday September 17th at 2 PM. Tickets may be purchased HERE. Advance tickets are $10, or they can be purchased for $15 at the door. The show deals with adult themes, and may not be appropriate for all audiences.

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