When Wendy devotes a year of saving money and careful planning to surprise her husband Marc with a luxury Caribbean resort vacation, she is hopeful it will help heal their marriage problems. He definitely needs a break from work, a time to relax, and Wendy wants to make all their problems go away. Initially, however, Marc fights her grand plan, citing the costs and the environmental impact. When their good friends Lorraine and Bill arrive, however, Marc has made his peace with the plan and is willing to enjoy the prospect of pina coladas and snorkeling as a new cure all.
Thrown Stone Theatre Company at their new home at the Crystal Theatre in South Norwalk is inviting you to check in for the world premiere of Jonathan Winn’s emotionally captivating “Fools’ Paradise” until Saturday, May 10.
Marc starts off feeling scared and lost and angry, but soon realizes Wendy loves him enough to try to put their marriage back on track and he relaxes into the plan, beginning to enjoy the warm breezes of San Juan and their beautiful suite, designed by Marcelo Martinez Garcia. Their paradise suddenly turns deadly when they realize a nuclear incident has cut them off from the United States and they must concentrate on finding food, water and protection from what may be a life or death situation. Is the mainland on fire? Has Lorraine and Bill’s son Josh died? Is there any chance a rescue ship will find them? What is the fate of Wendy’s newly discovered pregnancy? What responsibility do they have to help others on the island?
As their anxiety and fears rise, Julia Atwood’s Wendy, Allan Hayhurst’s Marc, Dana Eskelson’s Lorraine, and Steven Hauck’s Bill struggle to control their emotions as the reality of their situation strikes home. What started as an idyllic vacation is now a desperate minute to minute battle for their lives. James Dean Palmer as director establishes the ups and downs of the feelings that sweep over the victims as they try to direct their fate.
For tickets ($20-50), go to thrownstone.org/tickets/. Performances are Thursday at 8 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Find the theater at 66 Bayview Avenue, Norwalk.
Become emotionally connected to these four people who struggle so honestly and heartbreakingly to survive a scary situation over which they have no control.
