50 brides flee their 50 grooms and seek refuge in an Italian villa. When the grooms catch up with the brides mayhem ensues. BIG LOVE teaches us to throw ourselves into life fearlessly, while examining modern and antiquated ideas of love and romance, sex and control, happiness and ultimately balance.

We chose to stage our production of Mee’s work in a local art gallery. With 65 seats, the performance was done virtually in-the-round, with little separation from the actors, playing on the gallery floor, and the audience, seated against the wall.  The set was sparse, but there was a full-sized claw-foot tub, a wedding cake, a mound of presents, and at one point someone tore a picture off the gallery wall, put his head through it and passed out (on purpose of course). We are indebted  to filmmaker Alexei Kalenia, for his extensive video work during the process, helping us create elaborate video landscapes that became the backdrop for much of the show.

 

Written by Charles L. Mee

Director: Krissy Smith

Performers: Jeb Berrier, Sam Burgess, Sasha Cucciniello, Ethan Hale, Linda Levin, Jesse Martin, Dahlia Mertens, Brittany Miller, Tom Shane, Colin Sullivan, Amy Thomas.

Original Video Montage Work: Alexei Kalenia

Date & Space: February 21-22, 28th & March 1st at The Ah Haa Gallery for the Arts