(PRINCETON JUNCTION, NJ) -- Everyone has secrets. But what happens when those secrets are revealed within an otherwise happy marriage? Can it survive the betrayal? Pegasus Theatre Company’s production of Fiction by Steven Dietz, running April 5-14 at the West Windsor Arts Center, explores these questions.
Linda and Michael Waterman are happily married writers. When Linda is diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor, she asks Michael if she can read his journals. This sets off a series of events that blur the boundaries between past and present, fact and fiction, trust and betrayal. The couple’s capacity for forgiveness is tested, and they are forced to face the consequences of their actions.
“The very first time I read Fiction, I was struck by how gorgeous the writing is and then was amazed by how deeply it touched me,” said director Peter Bisgaier. “This play was love at first sight for me.”
Fiction uses flashbacks, journal entries, confessions, and confrontations to reveal its story. “It’s a kind of hall of mirrors that reflects this couple’s life together,” said actress Jennifer Nasta Zefutie (Linda). “It’s full of twists and turns that leave you questioning what to believe and whether unconditional love is possible despite our flaws.”
“The beauty of this play is that, even though it’s about the secrets we keep, it’s such an honest and true telling of what a long-term loving relationship can be,” Bisgaier stated. “With a simplicity of staging, we’ll reveal the beauty of this story and the depth of the relationships it explores.”
When asked why she loves this play, actress Sarah Stryker (Abby Drake) said, “It touches on fundamental issues, both modern and ancient. It explores the tension between our public and private lives, exposes the difficulty of taking responsibility for our actions, and it highlights the importance of forgiveness, when all is said and done.”
“Audiences will enjoy Fiction’s beautiful storytelling, its complex yet relatable characters, and a plotline full of surprising twists and turns,” said David C. Neal (Michael). “I wish I could eavesdrop from the back seat of every audience member’s car as they drive home so that I could hear them sort through the journey of this incredibly written play.”
Fiction, written by Steven Dietz and directed by Peter Bisgaier (Princeton Jct., NJ), features Jennifer Nasta Zefutie (Cranbury, NJ), David C. Neal (Fanwood, NJ), and Sarah Stryker (West Windsor, NJ).
Pegasus Theatre Company is fast becoming known for its intimate, professional productions. Past productions, including the East Coast premiere of Human Error by Eric Pfeffinger, Bakersfield Mist by Stephen Sachs, and Chapter Two by Neil Simon, have received rave reviews by critics and audiences alike.
The production runs run April 5-14, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm, Sundays at 2:00pm, and Thursday at 1:00pm at the West Windsor Arts Center, 952 Alexander Rd., Princeton Junction, NJ. Tickets are $24-28 and can be purchased online at www.PegasusTheatreNJ.org or by calling 609.759.0045.
