Every intimate relationship is based on a web of understanding, whether implicit or explicit. In the new comic drama, Life’s Work by Laura Ekstrand, two couples discover what happens when their agreements around work and money shift and evolve. Vivid Stage presents the World Premiere of this play across two weekends (April 21-24 and April 28 - May 1). The cast includes Nicole Callender, Mitchell Leigh Gordon, Scott McGowan, and Emaline Williams. Betsy True directs the production.
In Life's Work, Chip suddenly decides to quit his corporate job, blindsiding his wife Lynn, who is just returning to her career after years as a primary caregiver. Shelly, a photographer who earns her living as a barista, navigates her relationship with the practical Eduardo, a restaurant manager. The play asks the question, “Is it possible for a partnership to survive when the ground rules change?”
New Jersey Stage reached out to the playwright to learn more.
"Is it possible for a partnership to survive when the ground rules change?" -- was that the question that you had at the start, which was the inspiration for this play?
Yes, this was the inspiration! Because we have ground rules in my household that allow me to work in theatre, it's something my husband and I have talked about many times over the years. What would happen if my income suddenly needed to hold down the household? It would completely transform all of our life choices. And I think especially in households with children, partners make bargains, explicitly or implicitly, that depend on that equilibrium. And, of course, artists who make less than their partners do in other fields are always aware that the balance is found in other contributions to the household.
Does "Life's Work" take a look at the role money and income plays in relationships?
Yes, to a certain degree. It deals with two couples of different economic levels and how their expectations and freedom to make choices are impacted by their income. But it's also about how money is only one of the elements that contributes to a relationship's health.
Was this play based at all on your life or people you know? Or is it completely a work of fiction?
It was taken from bits of many people's lives that I know, including mine. I always write when something that I encounter in my own life or other people's stories intrigues me and feels like it has some juice. I borrow freely from many lives! Sorry, friends and family!
The play is described as a "comic drama.” Would you say this play is a drama that will make you laugh or a comedy with serious parts as well?
I'd say it's a drama that makes you laugh. And it's ultimately very positive. I always struggle to describe the kind of work we do at Vivid, which tends to blend both drama and comedy, like everyday life does.
What is it like to have your work performed at Vivid Stage? Is it more or less nervewracking than if a theatre across the country was presenting your play?
It's fantastic to have my work performed at Vivid Stage because I usually write with some of our actors in mind. I hear their voices in the roles and I can't imagine not being able to see them play the roles first. If I'm not on hand at least a little, like when someone presents a play across the country, I guess there's always the fear that someone will misinterpret something or just get the tone wrong. But ultimately, I try to write in such a way that the script provides a clear roadmap for anyone who would want to produce it.
Are you working with the director in the weeks before opening night or do you stay out of sight?
I am dropping in occasionally (I've been working at Centenary Stage during the beginning of these rehearsals) but am communicating about small revisions via email. I have a lot of trust in Betsy, so I am perfectly comfortable coming in as needed. I'll be around more toward opening, both as the playwright and as a producer!
Many people know you as an actress or performing improv, but - in addition to running the theatre company - you’ve written many plays. There are about 12 listed on your web page with the New Play Exchange. About how many have you written in all?
Besides the ones on NPX, there were a handful of earlier ones that exist on floppy disks in my garage, and there are a handful of brand new ones I'm actively working on. So let's say near 20...?
Between directing, acting, running a theater company, and improv... where do you find the time to write?
I write whenever possible! I find that scheduling time for each of my different jobs is really important, so I have to be really organized in mapping out my time. When my son was born, I wrote a play between 10:00pm and 2:00am, but that's not my favorite. Now I just grab whenever I can during daytime hours.
Finally, you've done just about every job in theatre it seems... If you could only do one job, would you prefer: playwright, actor, director, producer, or artistic director?
Please don't make me choose only one job! I think all of them really inform and inspire each other. I come at everything as an actor first, however. So I guess if there was only one, that would be it.
Life's Work will be presented at Vivid Stage (April 21-23 at 8:00pm, April 24 at 2:00pm, April 28-30 at 8:00pm, May 1 at 2:00pm). Performances take place at Oakes Center (120 Morris Avenue) in Summit, New Jersey. Click here for ticket information.
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