"Sensitive direction of the 'elephant-in-the-room' subject material. The cast tactfully handles the emotional upheavals with grace, humour and wit."

There's cause for much celebration in Stratford this season.

Here for Now Theatre recently opened its new digs on St. Andrew Street with the timely world premiere of Rebecca Northan's 'Stick Around.'

Well, it's timely for me. The play addresses a 'difficult' subject that no one seems to want to discuss. That subject material crept back into my life recently as it does (or will) with all of us.

Sensitively directed by Kevin Kruchkywich, this world premiere cast confronts the elephant in the room – death – with tact, sensitivity, grace, humour and wit.

'Stick Around' is a mildly fictionalized account of Northan dealing with her own mother's eight-week terminal cancer diagnosis. There's laughter and a smile when contextually appropriate in the script. It never feels cheapened to experience that momentary bit of humour. It feels welcome and natural to do so in confronting the reality of the 'c' word.

Rachel (Chantelle Han) celebrates the onset of her 46th birthday as the play opens. She stands in front of an imaginary mirror with a celebratory drink in one hand while checking out her face and her 'tush'/'bum.'  She recognizes how she has her mother's behind. Rachel breaks the fourth wall and speaks directly to the audience, making us feel comfortable and allowing us to laugh at those who still use these words.

The newly christened Rose McQueen Auditorium lends itself beautifully to the intimacy required to make this story resonate. Freddy Van Camp sets the varied locations with a few props and set pieces. Louise Guinand's lighting and Keith Thomas's sound designs effectively draw the audience's attention and focus where necessary to create the desired impact. Rebecca Chaikin's Costume Designs define the characters. Having Marge dressed in white is of great importance as the story unfolds.

The play's tone then shifts dramatically when Rachel mentions that her mother, Marge (Daniela Vlaskalic), never got the chance to see her 46th birthday. She is diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer that will ultimately take her life in eight weeks.

The strength of this world-premiere comedy lies in the terrific performances delivered. They're grounded in heart, believability and truth. When a funny moment occurs (and there are several of them), the characters and the audience share a good laugh momentarily that never veers out of control. Likewise, the pathos and sadness never border into the maudlin. The story continues without the melodramatic.

It is the audience who feels the emotions instead. As I was walking out of the auditorium, I saw several people with tears in their eyes.

Eric Craig plays all the male influences during this difficult time with Marge's diagnosis and treatment.  He's likeable in the distinct, often idiosyncratic characteristics of each of the men.  As Marge's by-the-book lawyer, he does put his foot in his mouth at one point when he says something rather bizarre. The result is a quick yet uncomfortable audience laugh. Craig's befuddled funeral director also allows for a few moments of levity. The one thing that both Rachel and Marge agree upon in all of Craig's performances?  He has a nice tush.

Daniela Vlaskalic and Chantelle Han are memorable as mother and daughter, respectively.

As Marge, Daniela Vlaskalic is brassy, blunt and proud of that very fact. Marge makes no apologies for who she is. She divorced her husband a long time ago and has had to raise two children while learning to cope with life's challenges.  

However, there was one moment that broke my heart. When Craig (as Dr. 'Tush') gives the diagnosis, Vlaskalic pauses momentarily and then reaches for Chantelle Han's hand stoically. It's all done subtly, but man, oh, man, does it ever hit right in the feels. I even heard someone inhale behind me because it was a decisive choice that worked.

Chantelle Han's Rachel has inherited some of her mother's traits. She's blunt in the way she deals with the funeral director when a mistake in the programme needs fixing immediately before the service begins.

Thankfully, Han doesn't remain on that one-note level of characterization. Instead, like Marge, Han's Rachel allows herself to feel the emotion of the moment. Instinctively, she knows it's time to accept the reality of what is occurring with her mother. One of the final hugs near the end of the play, while bittersweet, serves as a poignant reminder that life is not forever. Again, this is another moment that many of us will recognize, sympathize with, and empathize with.

There's a line from 'Steel Magnolias' where the character of Clairee has a good deal of fun at the expense of grouchy Ouiser. When the two of them mend the fence, Clairee tells Ouiser: "Things were getting entirely too serious for a moment, and we needed to laugh."

Thank you, Rebecca, and to the creative team and cast who allowed me to laugh again after the recent death of one of my influential career mentors. Losing my mother last year will always be a part of who I am.

'Sticking Around' is not possible, but I believe it is. Just like Rachel and Marge know it's time to move forward and keep going, my friend and my mother would be saying the same thing.

Stick around and keep going.

That's the message of this play to which we must strive.

Running time: approximately 70 minutes with no interval/intermission.

'Stick Around' runs until June 8 at Here for Now Theatre's new indoor building, 24 St. Andrew Street, Stratford. For tickets, herefornowtheatre.com or call (519) 272-4368.

HERE FOR NOW THEATRE presents the world premiere
'Stick Around' by Rebecca Northan

Directed by Kevin Kruchkywich
Set: Freddy Van Camp
Lighting: Louise Guinand
Costume: Rebecca Chaikin
Sound: Keith Thomas
Stage Manager: Sam Snyders

Performers: Eric Craig, Chantelle Han, Daniela Vlaskalic

(Photo Credit: Ann Baggley. Pictured: Chantelle Han and Daniela Vlaskalic)