Nick and Juanita - Livin' in my Dreams plays with the effects of love (or its absence) on Juanita, a woman who is trying to reconcile her fugitive brain and her adorably naïve heart, and Nick, a man seemingly lacking in both. Nick is a smooth, slimy talk show host whose use of a microphone brings new meaning to the words phallic symbol. His absurd, grandiose gestures capture a physical compensation for his lacking emotions. On the other hand, Juanita wears her heart on her sleeve by continuously abandoning her brain for the next guy who will show her affection.
The theme that brings the two characters together is an overarching loneliness that pervades their lives and seeps out through their actions, gestures, and thoughts. A classic comic tragedy, we don't know whether we should laugh or cry at these two hapless personalities.
Effortlessly leaping from one character to the next, Nick and Juanita demonstrates what Tara Cheyenne Friedenberg does best: social satire strongly rooted in character-driven work. Like the bulk of this creative powerhouse's work, Friedenberg creates rich, multilayered personalities that audiences can identify with. A highly comic piece, Nick & Juanita will leave audiences grinning from ear to ear, and perhaps a little reminiscent for their own forays and foibles in the search for love, affection and understanding.
This hilarious social satire, presented by Caravan World Rhythms and the Sunshine Coast Dance Society takes place on March 21 and 22 with 8 p.m. shows both nights at the Heritage Playhouse in Gibsons. Tickets at $18a adults/$12 for students are available at Gaia's Fair Trade, MELOmania and Ashley's Books.
