Infinite Choices in Chalk Circle Collective’s Intelligent ‘Constellations’

Stories involving multiverses have been big in entertainment, especially with comics, films, and streaming series. Most of the recent Marvel Cinematic Universe movies and television projects since 2016, including the summer hit, “Deadpool & Wolverine,” explore different universes, and the recent Academy Award winner for Best Picture, “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” dealt with a matriarch trying to save the multiverse.

Chalk Circle Collective’s strong production of Constellations at the Light Box Theater at Liberty Station takes a much more intimate approach to the concept of a multiverse.

Opening at a barbecue in England, a physicist, Marianne (Megan Carmitchel), and a beekeeper, Roland (Nick Apostolina), initially meet on a seemingly typical afternoon. Soon afterwards, their talk restarts and features alternate outcomes for the duo.

As the story moves past the barbecue, different scenarios develop once the audience realizes that in the multiverse, Marianne and Roland’s relationship is never the same. While they are typically attracted to each other, the playwright, Nick Payne, keeps audiences guessing whether that is enough for them to maintain a long-lasting relationship.

Payne navigates huge tonal shifts throughout the drama. At first, the show is lighthearted with a lot of humor occurring from socially awkward exchanges. As events progress, the situations become increasingly serious and sad when Payne deals with universal issues such as infidelity and mortality.

Although there are times when Payne unnecessarily repeats large sections of conversations, there are still plenty of surprises with how each segment develops in the multiverse. On opening night, there were audible laughs and gasps with how unpredictable certain scenes end, because Payne never telegraphs if Marianne and Roland’s relationship will strengthen or crash and burn.

I never felt that Payne wanted theatregoers to keep track of all the various timelines. Instead, I think he wants people to get lost in the experience and focus on the emotions of the narrative.

Director, Hannah Meade, navigates the quick sequences by incorporating the work of the crew. She uses Steven Leffue’s audio and Annelise Salazar’s lighting to create transitions between each universe.

Both Carmitchel and Apostolina keep up with the fast pace of the evening on Reiko Huffman’s set. They handle the humor and pathos of the piece equally well and allow the events in the science fiction story to feel surprisingly grounded. Their acting becomes so emotional towards the conclusion, that I can see some audiences being touched and teary-eyed from the genuine chemistry they share onstage.

Perfect casting and tight direction from Meade make Constellations an equally funny, bittersweet, and thought-provoking two-hander. Payne’s tale might have San Diegans reflecting on how significant and small choices affect our lives.

Show times are Tuesday at 7:00 pm, Fridays at 7:30 pm, Saturdays at 7:30 pm, and Sundays at 7:30 pm.