Entertainment: Limelight’s warmhearted ‘Later Life’ shows challenges of romance

Stage set, costumes are designed as if for a black-and-white film

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By Marty Cheek

A couple in their 20s fall in love on the island of Capri but part after only one day together. Nearly 30 years later, they meet at a Boston cocktail party and must face pain and comedy as their newly revived relationship blooms in Limelight Theater’s play “Later Life.”

The A.R. Gurney play opens Jan. 20. It weaves humor and romance together in a show full of subtle dialogue that reveals, much like a Neil Simon play, the inner lives of the various characters, said director Bill Tindall.

The first time he read the script, he knew Limelight needed to produce it. There was some reluctance, but when he insisted the quality of the writing was exceptional, they agreed to put it on stage with the caveat he must direct it.

“It’s a really wonderful look at humanity,” the veteran actor said. “The humor says life is not black  and white, there’s a lot of gray. I think we’ve done a good job of developing the characters and giving the audience a chance to get interested in them. I think the people are going to like the characters.”

Jim McCann plays “Austin,” a man who “is very educated but just kind of misses a lot in life because he’s a little too reserved,” Tindall said. He meets “Ruth,” played by Sandi Lewandowski, and the two rekindle their romance. Roberta Vinkhuyzen and Bruce Pember play five characters each in the various scenes of the show.

Lewandowski felt intrigued by how the play’s writing sympathizes with the characters while portraying them for the fools they are. Participating in more of a “dramatic piece” than Limelight usually does has been enticing as it allowed her to expand her acting skills.

“I find my character ‘Ruth’ to be challenging and complex,” she said.  “Her life has been marred by several tragedies and she continues to struggle with just trying to get things right on her journey.”

McCann was initially attracted by the idea of playing a man in his late 50s who is presented with a second chance in life. But as he dug into the role, it revealed much more might be going on beneath the surface, and the story takes the audience in a direction they might not expect.

“It’s a welcome challenge for me, as I haven’t been on stage in a few years, and I’m enjoying the process of discovery as the characters evolve,” he said. “This cast is amazing and I’m really looking forward to playing in front of a live audience again.”

The fun of playing five “wildly” different characters who interact with “Austin” and “Ruth” and the laughs in the show attracted Vinkhuyzen to perform in “Later Life.”  She appreciates the creativity in collaborating with the team of cast and crew.

“The play is hugely entertaining, but the poignant message about living life to its fullest and embracing the highs and lows will stick with you longer after the curtain falls,” she said.

The idea of playing five different characters from very different walks of life was intriguing to Pember. Being able to find comedy in each of their stories while also finding what makes each of them a real human was a challenge that excited him.

“The thematic elements of the show involving aging and life choices, whether you allow them to define you or you allow yourself to make different choices, spoke to me as a man in my ‘later life’ as well,” he said.

Tindall praised the set design by Andrew Cummings, which is an apartment terrace overlooking Boston Harbor.

The costumes were designed by Christine McElroy to reflect a “black and white” movie style, he said.

“I think people are really going to enjoy the story because it has so many twists and turns,” he said.