NOW AND THEN: A Story About Life and Choices

From left to right: Jack Anderson as Jamie, Jim Mallmann as Man, Amanda Springob as Abby, and Nichole Kivela as Woman in Now and Then at Sunset Playhouse. Photo credit: Erika Navin.

A review of Now and Then

by Ava Sabel, age 15

Now and Then is a beautiful story about love, life, regret, and second chances. The show is set in the 1980s at an Irish pub. A young man named Jamie is just about to close up for the night when an older man walks in and offers him money in exchange for time at the pub. When Jamie’s girlfriend, Abby, arrives shortly after, she receives the same strange offer. Though confused, the couple ultimately accepts. Throughout the night, Jamie and Abby learn information that could change the course of their lives forever. Will they believe what they’re told and act on it? You’ll have to see the show yourself to find out.

I want to start this review by acknowledging how incredibly talented the cast of Sunset Playhouse’s Now and Then was. I usually find myself more invested in musicals than straight plays, but this cast and story had me fully engaged from beginning to end. The show felt immersive in a way that encouraged the audience to reflect on the characters’ struggles through the lens of their own lives. I imagine many people left the theater thinking about how life doesn’t always turn out the way you expect, but that doesn’t mean it turns out badly.

Jack Anderson (Jamie) and Amanda Springob (Abby) did an excellent job portraying young love and the joy of living in the moment. Their energy truly shined on stage. Jim Mallmann (Man) and Nichole Kivela (Woman) were equally compelling, beautifully expressing what love looks like later in life. I especially appreciated how clearly each character wanted what was best for the other even when that wasn’t necessarily what the other wanted.

I also want to highlight how well the show was directed. I had the opportunity to speak with director Phil Stepanski, who shared that he intentionally included moments where the audience could visually see the connections between characters. I noticed these moments throughout the performance, and they greatly enhanced the storytelling.

Overall, this may be one of my favorite plays I’ve ever seen. I would definitely recommend Now and Then to audiences of all ages. While it is geared toward older viewers, I believe younger audiences, myself included, can learn a great deal from this show.

See more shows like this at Sunset Playhouse!