Portraying the day-to-day lives of four lower-middle-class New Yorkers, “Jack Goes Boating” sheds light on the hardships of maintaining relationships while bringing humor to life’s awkward situations. The story follows a limousine driver named Jack (Brandon Walker) who, after being set up by his co-worker and friend Clyde (Marc Randolph Henry), tries to develop a meaningful romantic relationship with Connie (Erin Cronican), the co-worker of Clyde’s wife Lucy (Candice Oden). Throughout the play, the shy and unsophisticated Jack attempts to learn to cook and swim in preparation for his upcoming dates with Connie, and Connie tries to get over her intimacy issues from past experiences. Meanwhile, there’s trouble in paradise for Clyde and Lucy as buried grudges resurface. The relatable storyline and likable personalities of the characters coupled with the intimate setup of the Paradise Factory Theater make “Jack Goes Boating” feel as if the audience is hanging out with the four friends in their living room instead of simply watching a play. The production was an incredible and immersive experience that definitely deserves two thumbs up.

Erin Cronican (left) as Connie and Candice Oden (right) as Lucy

 Firstly, the story, written by Bob Glaudini, is strangely entrancing. This play is different than your average ‘boy likes girl, girl likes boy’ plot; it provides a window into the realistic lives of characters as they try their hands at love while attempting to deal with their own imperfections. You are able to see the characters as a reflection of yourself and really feel connected to them by the end of the performance. This is a testament to the great acting by the cast. Furthermore, the intimate seating arrangement in the Paradise Factory Theater added to the immersive nature of the production. The venue only had about thirty seats, with chairs on either side of the set. The actors were on the same level as the audience. There was no stage; there was no curtain. It was simply four actors performing in the middle of a rather small room. This cozy atmosphere greatly added to the mood of the play and the audience’s relation to the characters. When Clyde is telling Jack about problems in his and Lucy’s relationship, it feels as if the audience is taking part in a private gossip session. When Clyde and Lucy argue about problems from the past, you can cut the tension in the room with a knife. The realness of the characters, the terrific acting from the cast, and the intimate setup of the theater make “Jack Goes Boating” an incredible production.

Jack (Brandon Walker) prepares for his upcoming dinner party to impress Connie

The Seeing Place Theater Company, the actor-driven company behind the production, prides itself in preserving the craft of theater and presenting relevant messages for today’s society through intense and intimate performances. The company strongly values affordable and accessible theater for all in the face of the high priced, commercial offerings of Broadway. As a result, this non-profit theater company makes it a point to sell tickets for no more than fifteen dollars. This, in addition to the stellar acting and engaging storyline, makes “Jack Goes Boating” a production that you do not want to miss.