BWW Reviews: THE LAST ROMANCE Warms the Heart

Whoever said that, "love makes the world go round" was right. At least according to the characters in Creede Repertory's production of The Last Romance at the Arvada Center, he was. However, in this show, the conventions of a typical young love are cast aside, because the lovers in this story are in their twilight years, and proving that there is always more love to be found in life.

As the audience walks into the black box theater at the Arvada Center, the nearly bare stage seems lonely and empty. The small cast, however, does a wonderful job of filling every inch of space with a vibrant story of love, passion, and trust.

Christy Brandt and John S. Green find one last romance

The story focuses on Ralph (portrayed marvelously by John S. Green), an 80-year-old opera-singing widower who sits in a New Jersey dog park, waiting each day to see Carol (Christy Brandt). As he approaches her and tries to spark a conversation, initially Carol meets his advances with a cold hostility, but eventually warms to his playful teasing and charm. The two meet several times in the park, much to the disappointment of Ralph's sister, Rose (Anne Butler), who lives with Ralph, and cares for him. Ralph and Carol both work through the pain of losing a spouse, and uncertainty of their new budding love and discover that their seemingly different experiences share much in common. They find that even despite their losses, they have much more to give, and all the characters learn to let go of their pasts.

The production's set and lighting were sparse, but adequate for the show, and the simplicity was appreciated, as it gave the focus to the actors in the intimate setting. Set in the thrust theatre arrangement (audience seated at three sides of the stage), the show drew audiences into the story, and made every patron feel like they were a part of the action. Christy Montour-Larson did a marvelous job of staging the show for the arrangement, but I can't help but feel that the audience in the center section got more of a complete show than either of the side sections did, because of the arrangement of certain set pieces. The small cast of actors portrayed such rich, sympathetic characters. The character of the Young Man (masterfully done by Sean Thompson), who was a vision of Ralph at a younger age, appeared throughout the show and sung Italian opera verses. Despite having no spoken lines, the audience knew every emotion that the character felt, and his presence truly tugged at the heartstrings.

As the weather gets colder, this marvelous production is a great way to warm your heart and put a smile on your face. Playing at the Arvada Center Black Box Theater September 30 -October 26, 2014. Tickets starting at $38. For tickets go to www.arvadacenter.org or call 720-898-7200.