Despite the desire of some to cling to the past, “real life” looks nothing like high school.
Once removed from the cocoon-like setting those secondary school walls provide, everyone is in the same boat.
Gone is the popularity hierarchy consisting of “nerds” and “jocks” and everything in between. It is replaced by the stark reality that all of us are on our own to make the best of life.
That is an important lesson learned by 50-somethings Phil and Bernadette (aka Bernie), the two main characters in The Numbers Game, a world premiere romantic comedy on stage now at Theatre Orangeville.
It doesn’t take long for Phil (played by David Rosser) and Bernie (Nora Sheehan), united by happenstance three decades after graduating high school, to realize they have a lot in common, despite their past positions on the hierarchy of high school popularity.
Phil, once a member of the high school math club who was tormented by the football team, is in search of an apartment after Gina, his wife of 29 years, kicks him out. Responding to a room-for-rent advertisement, he arrives at the apartment of Bernie, whom, judging from the name, Phil mistakenly assumed was a man.
Bernie, once a former prom queen, is in search of a female roommate after her boyfriend Mitch leaves her for a younger woman. Despite the gender mix-up, after quickly realizing they once attended the same high school – Bernie does not remember Phil, who once coveted the popular cheerleader – both agree to a platonic living arrangement.
Phil wavers somewhat on his decision to separate from his wife, but he and Bernie eventually realize they need each other.
The real-life husband and wife team of Rosser and Sheehan have great on-stage chemistry, playing a total of four roles and three relationships – they also play Mitch and Gina; not an easy task – with relative ease.
Both players fumbled a few lines during the preview performance on Oct. 17 but the mistakes did not detract from their outstanding performances.
Rosser, as a result of material provided for his characters in the script as well as his remarkable ability to deliver it, is clearly the emotional anchor of the production. But that’s not to diminish the impact of Sheehan, who also has great timing and delivery.
The script by playwright John Spurway is excellent, but not without its flaws. At times, too much information results in great character development crossing the line into the mundane and inconsequential.
A few of the jokes are telegraphed and corny and the first act is slow to develop, but an uproarious second half makes up for both.
The set and lighting design, by Beckie Morris and Steve Lucas respectively, are, as usual, a perfect compliment to the production. Both, and in particular the lighting and audio cues denoting changes in time and/or scenery, are testament to the mantra that often simple is better.
And the actors seem to have received great direction from David Nairn.
The characters may be in their 50s, but this production will be enjoyed by younger audience members too. In fact, it may help some current high school students realize they have something in common with their opposites on the popularity hierarchy. And maybe they’ll change their ways, decades ahead of Phil and Bernie – when it matters most.
The Numbers Game may not be Theatre Orangeville’s best play over the last two decades, but it’s a nice way to kick off its 20th anniversary.
It plays five shows a week until Nov. 3. For tickets call 519-942-3423 or 1-800-424-1295 or visit www.theatreorangeville.ca.
