The lights will go up at the Robert J. Evans Open Air Theatre at 7:30 p.m. on May 19, 20 and 21, when the Blair Academy Players present John Cariani’s Love/Sick.

Billed as “a darker cousin to Almost, Maine,” Love/Sick is a collection of nine short plays that take place on a single Friday night in a fictitious suburban town. Depicting the highs and lows of love experienced by nine different couples, the play explores the delicate moments that shape the life cycle of love, from a young couple left breathless by love at first sight to a middle-aged man wondering why the thrill has left his marriage. 

“Love/Sick is a sequel of sorts to Almost, Maine,” says veteran performing arts teacher and theatre director Craig Evans, “which Blair students performed a number of years ago. The stories are not quite as sunny, by and large, but Cariani’s care in telling the characters’ stories is remarkable.”

“The plays covers the evolution of love from meeting to marriage to having children to post-divorce,” he explains. Theatregoers can expect to find both rich humor as well as moments of deep poignancy in the production. “The audience may be laughing at one point, and then moved by the resolution of the situation.”

The production’s cast of 18 includes Ari Albino ’23, Schuyler Anderson ’22, Samantha Antonelli ’22, Archer Benedict ’22, Grant Breckenridge ’24, Sofia Ciminello ’22, JC Cong ’23, Sadie Donnelly ’22, Richard Gimbel ’24, Amogh Katare ’24, Bertrand Li ’23, Marc Lui ’23, Julian Perello ’24, Alex Schamberger ’24, Vivien Sheridan ’22, Julia Twomey ’24, Emily Wang ’23 and Hanna Wilke ’23. Amalia Scripsick ’23 serves as the student production director. 

Director Evans explains that, unlike traditional plays in which a handful of roles form the leads, Love/Sick’s structure enables each of the actors to hold equal roles, providing ample opportunity for each of Blair’s performers to shine. 

Cast member Richard Gimbel, who first experienced a performance in the Robert J. Evans Theatre last year, is especially looking forward to his role and taking part in the show’s premiere. “The audience can expect a delightful show that blends comedy and tragedy on the outdoor stage. It’s very compelling!” he says. 

General admission tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students; admission is free to all Blair faculty, staff and students. In the case of inclement weather, the play will be presented in the nearby DuBois Theatre in Armstrong-Hipkins Center for the Arts.