There’s a much deeper story lurking below the surface of Terrace Little Theatre’s fall production of “Icebergs”.
Written by playwright Alena Smith in 2018, the story follows a group of young professionals in sunny Los Angeles, California as they grapple with the issue of climate change and figuring out how to remain optimistic about their futures.
The cast of five converges in a funky, airy apartment set in the neighbourhood of Silver Lake, an area known for embracing the hipster lifestyle.
READ MORE: Old resentments and laughs take the stage in Terrace Little Theatre’s fall production
The play revolves around how each of these characters deals with the possibilities of their futures.
Terrace actor Matt Mageau plays Calder, a screenwriter in his mid-30s with a slight air of pretentiousness, but a good guy at heart. His wife, played by Melayna Ross, frequently projects her own bubbling anxieties of starting a family with the world’s economic climate in turmoil.
“[Calder] in particular, he wonders how the anxiety his wife feels about the climate is affecting their personal life, and what her attitude is for the future,” says director and TLT president Robin Macleod.
“Then there’s a contrast with that in play, because one of the characters has a child and is expecting another. It gives room for the characters to give different sides on the topic.”
The other supporting characters also contribute immensely to the story’s delightful conflicts.
Sally Sousa plays Molly, Abigail’s childhood friend, a lawyer who also dabbles in Tarot card reading.
Brandon Kirkwood plays Calder’s friend, Reed, a paleontologist who comes to visit L.A. for a conference.
Calder’s agent Nicky is played by Nathan Hoffart, a hustler-type character on the hunt to find a starring lead role for the couple’s independent flick.
The play does contain quite a bit of vulgar language and sexual references, but the cast’s colourful language does portray a more honest, down-to-earth reality as these characters dive beyond the surface level of their issues.
“There are some serious issues and moments there, but there are some tender moments and some funny lines in there for sure,” Macleod says.
“We’ve certainly talked as a cast about in what ways these characters are each on their own icebergs in what they’re figuring out for themselves, or what they’re showing to different people they know and what they’re keeping hidden away. I always think a title is great if there are a couple ways it can be applied to the script.”
READ MORE: Terrace Little Theatre presents ‘The Ladies Foursome’
‘Icebergs’ opens on Friday, Nov. 15 at the McColl Playhouse Theatre (3625 Kalum St.) at 8 p.m., with another showing on Saturday, Nov. 16. Tickets are available at Uniglobe Courtesy Travel, or purchase them online on Eventbrite.
Can’t make opening weekend? Catch the show on any following Friday or Saturday until Dec. 7.
brittany@terracestandard.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter
