By Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel
SOLANA BEACH. California — Same Next Time Next Year was new and fresh although I saw the film years ago. George (Bruce Turk) and Doris (Katie MacNichol) had me laughing and smiling throughout the show at the North Coast Repertory Theatre. They are a perfect match in Bernard Slade’s heartwarming play loaded with very clever and funny dialogue. David Ellenstein’s direction kept me completely engaged.
Doris and George each alone at a small California inn meet at the restaurant and immediately become sexually involved.
Doris: “You know, I can really talk to you. It’s just amazing. I find myself saying things to you that I didn’t even know I thought. I noticed that yesterday right after we met in the restaurant.”
George: “We had instant rapport. Did you notice that too?”
Doris: “No. But I know we really hit it off.”
Although they both considered themselves happily married, they felt so comfortable talking honestly to each other they decided to meet again the following year. That was in 1951 and the relationship continued for 27 years at the same time and place.
For the first few years George kept telling Doris he felt guilty about their annual love tryst as certainly adultery. Doris seemed to have less problem with it but listened patiently and expressed her understanding. George eventually stopped beating himself up and continued their annual reunion.
They had said they had happy marriages, and in many ways, they may well have, but that may not have been the whole and true story. I would guess they found a new freedom in sex and found each other to be patient listeners with whom they could share their gut feelings. Unfortunately, good listeners are a rare breed in marriage and in society. Just look at the divorce rate in America, which is over 50 % and who knows what keeps the other 50% together. The best answer perhaps is equal doses of love and hard work.
But to get back to the play, George has trouble initially remembering details about Doris and says, “I can’t remember the name of your favorite per0fume; I’ve racked my brain and I can’t remember it.”
Doris: “That’s funny, it’s ‘My Sin.'”
With each passing year Doris and George’s relationship grows more intimate and it is charming to watch their their personal and professional growth. A dropout of high school in Oakland and married at the age of 19, Doris eventually earns a college degree while George later changes his career and moves with his family to Los Angeles from New Jersey.
Their 27 years of annual reunions is a mirror of America’s cultural dynamics and a glimpse into our own lives.
The show will be available for viewing through November 15. I heartily recommend you check in on North Coast Rep’s web site and purchase a ticket. You will love it as I did.
Special kudos to the Support Team: Lighting: Aaron Rumley; Set Design: Marty Burnett; Costume: Eliza Benzoin; Props: Phillip North; Hair and wigs: Peter Herman.
This award-winning show first appeared on Broadway in 1945. The film was released in 1978.
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Sheldon Foster Merel is cantor emeritus of Congregation Beth Israel of San Diego. He may be contacted via sheldon.merel@sdjewishworld.com
Excellent review! I am motivated to see it.