Hampton Theatre Company’s 40th Season Begins With 'Now and Then'

The Hampton Theatre Company (HTC) is set to launch its milestone 40th season with Sean Grennan’s thought-provoking comedy-drama “Now and Then,” which will run from October 17 to November 3 at the Quogue Community Hall. This will mark HTC’s 133rd production since its founding in 1984.

Originally premiering at the Peninsula Players Theatre in Wisconsin in 2018, “Now and Then” delves into the impact of life choices and the people who share in them. The play begins in 1981, inside a small neighborhood bar during last call, where aspiring musician Jamie is closing up for the night. A mysterious customer, known only as The Man, enters and presents Jamie and his girlfriend, Abby, with an irresistible offer — money, in exchange for a drink and a conversation. Later, a cantankerous stranger, The Woman, joins too. What begins as an ordinary interaction turns into something far more profound as the young couple grapples with the implications of their decisions, while two strangers seem unusually invested in their futures.

“It’s a story about regrets and the choices you make in life and the places you end up going; and the whole sense of, woulda, coulda, shoulda,” director Mary Powers said of the play. “If I had done something differently, how would my life be different? It’s an exploration of those feelings.”

Powers came back to HTC earlier this year after a long hiatus to direct “Strictly Murder,” the well-received play by Brian Clemens. She noted that she wanted to return to directing at HTC because of the supportive environment that fosters her vision for the shows she works on. She added that she appreciates that “everyone rolls up their sleeves and gets involved” to ensure the quality of the productions.

“Now and Then” begins in 1981 and gradually moves into the future, focusing on societal changes, particularly in male and female relationships. The play mixes real-life discussions with comedy, making it feel authentic and engaging.

“People will recognize themselves in a lot of this,” Powers noted, adding that “the laughter comes from the truth of the piece.”

While the play does tackle serious issues, she said the humor keeps it from feeling preachy.

“It’s definitely entertaining — funny, but realistic,” Powers added.

The HTC cast includes four actors: Kate Brady, as Abby, makes her HTC debut in this production along with Stephanie L. Moreau, as The Woman. Dayne Rasmussen returns to HTC after his spring performance in “Strictly Murder” to portray Jamie and John L. Payne, known for his role in HTC’s “Time Stands Still,” plays the enigmatic Man.

This casting features a unique dynamic, with two actors nearing their 60s and two who are under 30 offering a contrast in perspectives. This generational gap serves as a central theme in the play, highlighting how life views evolve over time.

“What you think at 20 can be vastly different from what you understand later in life,” Powers said. “It raises questions about whether, with hindsight, we would make different choices — or maybe we wouldn’t. It’s all about reflecting on life’s journey.”

Powers expressed her good fortune in securing a talented cast, with a mix of familiar faces from past projects and relative newcomers, like Payne and Brady, who impressed her during the audition process. The versatility of the cast stood out to Powers as the actors were able to handle both the comedic and dramatic aspects of the show.

“They’re both funny, and they can handle the drama as well. They’re really great actors,” she said.

The casting process for the play came with its challenges, though, as in addition to finding actors who could embody the characters, Powers also had specific physical requirements in mind for the roles. The actors also needed to be able to balance both comedic sensibilities and dramatic moments. The characters’ ages had to align in relation to one another, making it impossible to cast blindly or use nontraditional casting methods.

“I knew it wouldn’t be an easy show to cast, but we had a lot of great people audition,” she said. “It’s an embarrassment of riches when you have a strong turnout, and I’m very, very pleased with the cast we ended up with.”

Ultimately, what Powers wants the audience to take away from the show is the idea that life is unpredictable and that, despite our best efforts to control our own destinies, things don’t always turn out as planned.

“We make plans and God laughs,” she said, emphasizing how certain choices lead us down different paths. She also hopes viewers will recognize the resilience of people.

“No matter what’s thrown at them, people make the best of it,” she said.

Powers added that working on the set design for this show has involved extensive research to authentically capture the atmosphere of a Chicago bar in 1981. She notes, “There’s a lot of specialty items in the scenery that we needed to get,” including a juice box and a video game. The design process has been collaborative, she said, as the HTC designers “worked really closely together, looking at all of the research” and focused on both practical requirements and their unique vision for the set. Scenic and sound design are being handled by Meg Sexton, with lighting by Sebastian Paczynski and costumes by Teresa Lebrun.

Performances of “Now and Then” are October 17 to November 3, with shows Thursday through Saturday at 7 p.m., and Sundays at 2:30 p.m., with an additional matinee on Saturday, November 2, at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $40 for adults, $36 for seniors, $25 for students, and $30 for veterans and Native Americans. Audience members are invited to stay for “talkbacks” with the cast after the performances on October 25 and November 1. Quogue Community Hall is at 125 Jessup Avenue in Quogue. Subscriptions for HTC’s 40th season, which also includes “Boeing Boeing” by Marc Camoletti in March and “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” by Edward Albee in May, are now available. Tickets can be purchased online at hamptontheatre.org or by calling 631-653-8955.