A Sweet Night of Drama and Dessert: ‘The Memory of Water’ at Bridge Players Theatre

by Mike McKeon

This past Saturday I had the pleasure of viewing The Memory of Water directed by Susan Jami Paschkes at Bridge Players Theatre Company in Historic Burlington City. The Memory of Water is a family drama that centers on three sisters dealing with their mother's funeral. The play is structured around the emotional and often conflicting ways the sisters remember their past and navigate their grief and resentment, balancing humor and tragedy as they uncover long-buried secrets. Written by English playwright Shelagh Stephenson and first staged at Hampstead Theatre in 1996.  

To my surprise, when I arrived I discovered it was Bridge Player’s “Dessert Theatre” night. Where there are no concessions, but instead water, coffee, tea, and an assortment of sweet treats from chocolate cake to raspberry cheesecake are served at intermission. It was a welcomed surprise and a delightful addition to my evening! Dessert Theatre only happens one production per year, so be sure to take advantage at the next show by getting your tickets early. 

The show takes place in 1997 on the coast of Maine and opens in the old, falling apart bedroom of Vi, mother to the three sisters. The duration of the production takes place in this bedroom, so the set artists (Susan Jami Paschkes & Brian S. Rothman) and set construction (Ken Kauker, Kris Kauker, Bob Beauchean, & Stephen Kreal) had to work together to ensure this single room helped portray the story and emotions they were looking for throughout the show.  They did a great job of making clear the home was dilapidated, but also included functioning windows and doors for scene entrances and exits.  During this scene we are introduced to the middle sister Mary (Bonnie Leigh Renner) and Vi (Samantha Wentz) having a conversation about a missing box. Renner and Wentz do a great job of butting heads with each other making it clear Vi is the authority figure and they don’t always agree on things. Immediately after Vi leaves the scene we are introduced to the anxiety ridden eldest sister Teresa (Andrea Veneziano) which was a very fast shift of energy.  Veneziano did a great job of taking the audience’s attention and making it clear she is the one trying to take charge and get everything in order for their mother’s funeral.  It is also clear this is the role Teresa has taken responsibility for since her younger years. 

The next surprise was a knock on the bedroom window. We are introduced to Mike (Robert Pacquiao Ruelan) who complains he has been outside for quite a while in the cold.  We quickly learn Mike and Mary have a romantic relationship that is not necessarily accepted by the other sisters. Ruelan and Renner have multiple “adult themed” scenes which were directed by fight/intimacy coordinator Terri McIntyre. Ruelan and Renner did a great job of showing how much they can’t keep their hands off each other, but so many other things are in the way of making it more than just lust. Quickly after we are introduced to Catherine (MacKenzie Ryann Smith) who makes it very clear she is the youngest and most carefree of the sisters. Smith portrays an important laissez-faire attitude that helps balance the fierce bickering of Teresa and Mary. 

Right before the end of Act 1 we are introduced to Teresa’s husband Frank (Stephen Kreal) as he yells some expletives upon his stage entrance.  Kreal does a wonderful job throughout the entire show of being the comedic relief from the serious tone previously set in the show. The ending of Act 1 came to a great close as well.  As the sisters ask Frank to take a picture of them, he kneels down and snaps the shot and the lights come down to close the scene.  Lighting & Sound design by Bob Beaucheane and Lighting Support by Phil Aaronson and stage manager Kelsey Ryan collaborated well with sound tech support from Aaronson & Kris Kauker on this specific closing.  It left the audience in a more jovial mood contrasting the beginning of the production. Wentz makes a few more appearances before the end of the show as the ghost of Vi speaking with Mary. Wentz does an excellent job of maintaining the stern temperament and physical composure of a Mother each time. The stunning costume choices for Wentz also helped show her perceived age and status of the time although no Costume Designer was credited. 

Please be sure to get your tickets for The Memory of Water, the show runs until November 8th Fridays, Saturdays at 8 PM and 3 PM Sunday at this link: www.bridgeplayerstheatre.com/tickets.