LEWISTON — The Public Theatre’s current production, “Wrong for Each Other,” is a fast-paced and thoroughly enjoyable journey though a rocky romance.
Two accomplished performers take the audience right to the final 10 words of the show for a resolution of the plot. Along the way, Rudy and Norah deal with almost constant clashes of personality and intent, but there’s an unmistakable magnetism that alternately attracts and repeals each of them in their nine-year relationship.
Jason Cadieux, a Canadian stage, film and television actor, delivers a quick-fire portrayal of Rudy, a headstrong man who marries a young lady with a decidedly dissimilar disposition. Cadieux played Mike in The Public Theatre’s production of “Wait Until Dark” in October 2015. He received acclaim for his performance in the 1996 film “Lilies.”
Lee Fitzpatrick makes her debut at The Public Theatre as Norah. She has toured nationally and acted as a member of the American Shakespeare Center’s resident company.
“Wrong for Each Other” was written by Norm Foster, the author of last season’s Public Theatre box office hit, “The Ladies Foursome.” Foster is known as Canada’s most produced playwright. He has written more than 50 plays. This one, his ninth, was first produced at Theatre New Brunswick in 1993.
Under the direction of Christopher Schario, artistic director, this show has just the right balance of humor and heartbreak. Rudy’s exuberance and persistence contrast at every turn with Norah’s caution and conventionality. It’s a funny and touching play with a serious side that sustains interest to the end.
The imaginative use of a simple set by Judy Staicer is a delight throughout the show. It’s basically a three-part arrangement of tables and seating that indicate a restaurant, a kitchen, and a number of other locations. The action flows seamlessly back and forth in time and place.
The set design is more than functional. There’s some hilarious action thanks to the lighting effects on a roller coaster scene created by by lighting designer Jim Alexander.
The staging also serves well for a comic scene in a ballpark’s bleachers scene that plays up the differences between Rudy and Norah.
The big city locale is unnamed, and notes in this play’s study guide written by Martin Andrucki, dramaturg/literary advisor, say that’s customary for Foster. A quote of the playwright in the guide says, “I want the audience to imagine these locations right along with me.”
Foster also has said that a common theme in his plays is to portray “ordinary people just trying to get by in life.” Foster said, “What I’m trying to do is make them (the audience) feel a little better about this world, and that’s not easy these days.”
The Public Theatre’s Wine Down Thursday program will continue March 23 with a free pre-show wine-tasting at 6:30 p.m. in the theatre lobby.
Remaining performances of “Wrong for Each Other” are at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, March 23-25, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 26. There is an additional Saturday matinee at 3 p.m. March 25.
For tickets, visit the website at www.thepublictheatre.org or call 207-782-3200.
The Public Theatre is at 31 Maple St.
Lee Fitzpatrick makes her debut at The Public Theatre as Norah. Canadian actor Jason Cadieux as Rudy, played Mike in The Public Theatre’s production of “Wait Until Dark” in October 2015.