Iron Horse Theatre, Ambridge stages play about the strange beauty of human connectedness
AMBRIDGE – A seemingly mundane poetry project unlocks a much deeper mystery in "I and You," the first play of the season from Iron Horse Community Theatre.
Opening June 2-3, the play centers on two high school students, Anthony and Caroline. One afternoon, Anthony arrives unexpectedly at classmate Caroline's door bearing a beat-up copy of Walt Whitman's "Leaves of Grass," an urgent assignment from their English teacher. Homebound due to illness, Caroline hasn't been to school in months, but she is as quick and sardonic as Anthony is athletic, sensitive and popular. A relationship develops as these two let down their guards and share their secrets in this ode to youth, life, love and the strange beauty of human connectedness.
"The first time I read the script I was shocked by how similar Caroline was to myself and the people in my life," Maya Anabella, the Sewickley resident playing that role, said. "The dialogue, her demeanor and her actions are so similar to my own. She puts a guard up out of fear of what might happen. Although she is very honest with herself, she struggles to open up and instead shuts down. Anthony is the first person to understand, even though he doesn’t 'understand' and provides her with a safe space to express her true feelings about her disease."
Jake Moon of Pittsburgh plays the role of Anthony, a charming, straight-A student and basketball star who plays the sax and is very worldly for a person of his age.
"People are drawn to him and want to be like him in many ways," Moon said. "He is popular and talented, but it doesn't go to his head. He is a very likable character and I find myself rooting for him. I think the audience will, too."
The show's director, Tom Mirth, said "The playwright, Laura Gunderson, brilliantly weaves Walt Whitman's poetry and symbolism into the play. The play is funny, moving and has a twist at the end that you never see coming. I think people of all ages will love this show."
"I and You" will be staged June 2-3, 9-11 and 16-17 at the Iron Horse Community Theater, 348 Maplewood Ave., Ambridge. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. except for the June 11 matinee at 2.
Tickets cost $20, $18 for seniors 64+, at ironhorsetheatrecompany.ticketleap.com.
More: Little Anthony, rock hall-of-famer, to perform at Lincoln Park arts center in Midland
Scott Tady is entertainment editor at The Times and easy to reach at stady@timesonline.com.
This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Iron Horse Theatre in Ambridge offers 'I and You,' first play of 2023
