David French’s “Salt Water Moon,” directed by Alex Kostura (SFS ’09), is a highly romantic, fresh and witty play that attests to the possibility of finding young and enduring love. Set on an August night in 1962 on the front porch of a humble residence in Newfoundland, the story is a cultural piece that touches on Irish immigration, romance and coming of age. In “Salt Water Moon,” Jacob, played by Danny Rivera (COL ’11), who at one time had a romance with Mary, disappeared with no goodbye and no letters. He returns to visit an “already spoken for Mary” as she stargazes with her telescope on the porch. The persistent Jacob Mercer pursues a reluctant Mary played by Caitlin Cassidy (COL ’11). The playful relationship between the seemingly sincere schemer Jacob and the skeptical and punchy Mary brightens the stage and makes for a funny and realistic romance that questions the distinction between child’s play and true love.
The stage is set in the black box theater of Walsh where a life-sized corner of a house has been constructed complete with green shutters, a white wraparound porch and a rocking chair. A clothesline of white shirts and other articles hangs from the window to the left of the house and to the right in the foreground there is an old water pump and a barrel, while on the black backdrop is a larger-than-life full moon that illuminates the stage. The simple but distinguished design attests to the humble origins of the play’s two characters, both of whom are Irish immigrants to Newfoundland, Canada. The plain backdrop also highlights the most important aspect of this romantic August night — the majestic moon.
Kostura describes his attraction to the play saying, “In addition to the fascinating culture, it was ultimately the universality of these characters which made ‘Salt Water Moon’ stand out to me. We can all recognize Jacob Mercer and Mary Snow in ourselves. As young adults … striking out in a world they did not create. These hardships, though they may be unique to a distinct time and place, still resonate with today’s young people as we struggle to define our generation.”
From the moment Jacob greets Mary on her porch, the actors establish a playful and familiar dynamic that is refreshing as well as romantic. Although the story tells us they have been separated for a year, the closeness and familiarity of their gestures and the teasing nature of their comments attests to their unquestionable connection. After Mary tells a story, Jacob says, while rolling his eyes, “I knows I’ve heard you tell it just like that before.” Mary responds to Jacob with sass by finally agreeing to show him the rare blue star through her telescope, and saying, “I’ll show you where the blue star is at but only cuz Ize want you to choke on your own smirk.” Jacob, with equal and fitting wittiness and charm tells her that sarcasm does not become her as well as her yellow dress.
Danny Rivera does a wonderful job of portraying Jacob as the calculated schemer he undoubtedly is, but amidst portraying Jacob’s calculated charm, Rivera also represents Jacob with a degree of honesty and earnestness, allowing the audience to believe in the sincerity of his intentions. Jacob knows Mary loves him and forces her to acknowledge her feelings by asking her if she loves her fiancé: “Look me in the eye and tell me you loves him, and I’ll walk out of this yard and never come back.”
Cassidy successfully portrays Mary’s strength as she persistently resists Jacob’s advances. Cassidy also beautifully and subtly conveys Mary’s deep-seated feelings for Jacob, which she reveals through her flustered mannerisms and her occasional smug yet adoring smile. Cassidy balances the playful nature of Mary’s character with her inner sensitivity, which she reveals in one climactic moment as she shouts after Jacob, fearing for a moment she has lost him forever.
“Salt Water Moon” is a charming, funny and romantic production with an allure and universality that transcends time and attests to the timelessness of great romance. Kostra’s closing remarks capture the cultural and personal implications of “Salt Water Moon”: “In the end, ‘Salt Water Moon’ teaches us that sometimes the only way we can define ourselves within the uncontrollable chaos of this world is to do what truly makes us happy. We’re not all revolutionaries … who can single-handedly build a better future. But maybe the most revolutionary thing human beings can do is find happiness in one another.”
Salt Water Moon runs through April 6 in the Walsh Blackbox. Visit http://performingarts.georgetown.edu/THEATER/2007-2008/NomadicSeason.htm...