“Same Time, Next Year” is a clearly Implausible story - and that’s to say the very least. It’s like a challenge to writers: Here’s a plot that is impossible - can you make it believably realistic?
No way that could happen. But it did. Good writing, fine directing and excellent acting turned this Hickory Community Theatre production into an enjoyable and exciting evening in the Firemen’s Kitchen.
The play unfolded in a series of scenes that took place over twenty-four years, and the two actors portrayed their characters as they grew and developed and lived out their lives and this all took place with one amazing twist after another. In a different way the play read like a quick visit through the lifetime of most of the audience in attendance, almost all of whom were old enough to have seen all of the background against which this unreasonable but captivating story took place. The play has to be one of the all time great vehicle for two actors to display their talents. Denise Bernstein played Doris and George Page played George so beautifully and passionately that now I will HAVE to see every play from here on out with either Denise or George in it. It was obvious that they were having fun and enjoying the play as much - actually more than the characters they portrayed possibly could have. And it was not just good acting. The entire ensemble was well knit, the background images provided continuity and anticipation.
One final word about the Firemen’s Kitchen - It is wonderfully great to sit down at your table with four chairs and meet two new people, strangers to begin with, who will share this evening with you. Then to depart and leave with two new friends. That’s Hickory - the Friendly City.
One final, final comment: the beer served in the theatre is not inspired. Get off the Budweiser thing. You have a lot of good beer just around the corner at the Old Hickory Taproom. They will probably be glad to help. Turn each of these evenings into a REAL Hickory happening.
