PTC goes to beach for fun, romance ‘Disturbances’ pleases

So vacationing photographer Holly is a little neurotic and lifeguard Leo is a tad uncouth. But you’ll want to know these characters created by Tina Howe, whose “Pride’s Crossing” was a hit last year for the Penobscot Theatre Company.

Nina Nevins and Patrick J. Zeller make the pair absolutely adorable in Howe’s Tony-nominated “Coastal Disturbances,” being presented by PTC through May 27 at the Bangor Opera House.

Holly is earnest and frantic and searching and easily startled, but Leo seems to know right off the bat what he wants – her.

It’s all to the amusement of the other characters on Massachusetts’ North Shore – older married couple Ham and M.J.; best buddies Ariel and Faith, and their children – one each – Winston and Miranda.

Jay Doolittle and Gladdy Matteosian are great as the older couple, a retired doctor and his artist wife whose anniversary celebration at the end of the play is both funny and lovely.

Before they get that far, the playwright makes sure that M.J. gets in some digs about the lady friends the doctor has had over the years, but the point is both dissonant and unclear. Is it supposed to be that men are jerks? Or that marriage is worth it anyway? The author leaves us wondering.

But there’s no question that Julie Arnold Lisnet makes a perfect Faith, maternal and wise. And Sara Valentine is effective as frazzled divorcee Ariel.

Actually, it’s Valentine who should be frazzled. In her “day job,” she’s carrying two roles in the PTC production of “Macbeth” that is currently touring schools in Maine.

The child actors, Isaac Mitchell and Jordan Borgman, are wonderful, making sure that their characters are lovable and rambunctious, but not obnoxious. Let’s keep these kids acting.

At the end of Act I, Leo finally gets his kiss and a night on the beach with Holly, and all is set for the couple to live happily, if neurotically, ever after. Enter Holly’s sort-of-estranged boyfriend Andre.

The audience was all set to dislike this possessive, sophisticated gallery owner from New York -dressed in black, no less – especially since he can’t seem to get around to giving Holly the solo show she wants.

But leave it to Fran Vogt to make us see what Holly sees in Andre – the suave lover who shares her artistic sensibilities and represents the world that she knows.

Then Leo comes back on the scene, and we change our minds again. He manages to wangle an address and phone number before Holly leaves with Andre, but is there really hope for the young couple?

Always.

You could call the play an Emerson evening – Nevins is a senior at the college of that name in Boston, Zeller a 1999 grad, and director Patricia Riggin teaches there.

Great jobs by all three, but it’s worth pointing out that “Coastal Disturbances” is probably a different play with older actors – Annette Bening was 28 when she played Holly, for example, and Timothy Daly 31 when he was Leo.

Nevins portrayed Holly’s neuroses well, but they didn’t seem so bad, really, because you could chalk up many of the faults to youth.

Let’s bring Nevins and Zeller back in 10 years and do the play again.

Playwright Howe gets good marks for humor all the way through, but especially when Nevins, Lisnet and Valentine are on the beach together.

But the profanity seemed forced, a distraction. A playwright of Howe’s stature does not need to sprinkle her witty lines with swearing to impress anyone. There’s enough salt in the ocean.

That said, do go see this play.

Betsy Staber’s set is simple, but works well – especially the cozy lifeguard tower. The kids playing under the blanket were just plain fun.

Joanne Haas did a commendable job with the costumes. Their color added a nice touch to the sandy set.

The lighting was especially important because there were five scenes in each act, and they changed quickly. Designer Lynne Chase is a bright light, indeed.

Next up for the Penobscot Theatre Company are Antoine de Saint-Exupery’s “The Little Prince,” July 6-29 at the Bangor Opera House; and the Maine Shakespeare Festival July 17-Aug. 18 on the waterfront in Bangor. On the schedule are Shakespeare’s “King Lear” and “Twelfth Night” and Carlo Goldoni’s “Servant of Two Masters.”

“Coastal Disturbances” plays at 7 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Bangor Opera House, 131 Main St. For tickets, call 942-3333.