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World War I was once called "the war to end all wars," an idea which, with nearly a century in retrospect, might seem overly optimistic, even rather naïve.
But it is precisely that kind of hopeful innocence that is rightly celebrated in Mary's Wedding, a love story set against the harsh realities of World War I.
Mary is an English immigrant newly arrived in Canada when she meets Charlie, a handsome local farm boy. The play revisits, in the dreams of Mary the night before her wedding, the blossoming of her relationship with Charlie, from their romantic meeting, to Charlie's enthusiasm to enlist, to their wartime correspondence.
Calgary playwright Stephen Massicotte was inspired to write Mary's Wedding in part by the true story of a brigade of hometown heroes who fought a battle in which they faced horrific odds (see story on the last page of this section). The play instantly struck a chord: Within scarcely a year of its premiere, Mary's Wedding was being staged by no fewer than 10 Canadian regional theater companies. The San José Rep will be presenting the U.S. premiere of this poignant, personal portrait of the Great War. Versatile Bay Area theater veteran Michael Butler directs, with Julie Jesneck as Mary and Cody Nickell as Charlie.
Mary's Wedding plays Oct. 24Nov. 16 (previews Oct. 1823) at the San José Repertory Theatre, 101 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose. Tickets are $18$52. 408.367.7255 or www.sjrep.com.
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