BWW Reviews: Tearjerker MARY'S WEDDING from New Century Wows with Tragic Love Story

I'm quite pleased to announce that Seattle, at this moment in time, has an abundance of incredible shows to choose from. OK, well, two of them but they're both stunners. You've already heard me droning on about the other "can't miss" show recently and now comes along a very different but equally impressive show with New Century Theatre Company's "Mary's Wedding" by Stephen Massicotte. I can honestly say I haven't sobbed (yes sobbed, not cried) this much in a show since Showtunes' amazing "Falsettos" a few years back. Bring some tissues. Hell, bring the whole box but catch this incredible love story!

As you set foot into the theater you are completely immersed into the world of the show by Brian Sidney Bembridge's incredible set. Sure it's the interior of a barn with some hay on the floor but it evolves into so much more as we meet Mary and Charlie (Maya Sugarman and Conner Neddersen). It's the night before Mary's wedding and we're invited into her dream as she relives her meeting and romance with young farm boy Charlie. The two come from different worlds with Mary's posh upbringing but their attraction is palpable after a chance encounter. What follows is a thrill ride of emotion as we weave back and forth in time through their budding romance and into Charlie's enlistment in the Canadian Mounted division sent to fight on the front lines in World War I.

What NCTC and director John Langs have done is gone beyond theater and created an evening of magical storytelling with every element perfectly in place. From Bembridge's incredible set and lights to Matt Starritt's sound design to Heidi Zamora's costumes the ambiance couldn't be more complete and with the ingenious configuration in this intimate little space, the audience cannot help but become a part of the world. And Langs uses the space perfectly with a gorgeously paced and staged piece.

This pair of actors could not be more sublime in the roles. Sugarman and Neddersen not only have incredible chemistry with each other but both open themselves up to such vulnerability that their romance is completely believable. Plus the arcs each of them takes throughout the journey are sights to behold especially as they consistently go back and forth in their own timelines and keeping perfect appointment of where in their own character's development they are. And I have to mention Sugarman's double duty as she also brilliantly portrays Charlie's commanding officer in the war scenes.

NCTC has this consistent trend of bringing the goods to whatever show they tackle and "Mary's Wedding" is no exception. Just the opposite, it's another level higher for the impossible high bar they keep setting and surpassing. They've produced yet another must see show and as the space is not a huge one I urge you to get your tickets early. I'm sure it's not surprise that they've earned a hearty WOW with my three letter rating system but it's a completely tear soaked WOW. Seriously, bring the tissues!

"Mary's Wedding" from New Century Theatre Company performs at West of Lenin through October 11th. For tickets or information visit them online at www.wearenctc.org.

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