BY ANN J. SEJANSKY AND LORI LEMOINE
Time Stands Still goes far beyond being a love story. It is a story about self-awareness, healing spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically.
Sarah York (played by Alix Miller) has just returned home after being injured by a roadside bomb as she served as a photojournalist in Iraq. Her longtime partner and fellow journalist, James (Daniel Cooksley), is helping her through the journey to healing in their small apartment in Brooklyn, after he left the war just before Sarah was injured.
James and Sarah have now come to the fork in the road in their relationship, when a decision needs to be made about their futures. James is ready to settle down and find safer employment in the U.S., while Sarah struggles with her drive toward a meaningful career or to sincerely start a relationship and family.
The catalyst for this choice is brought about by the least-expected person, Richard (Michael Gage). Richard is the photo editor for the magazine the pair works at, as well as a friend. When he arrives at the apartment with his new, much younger girlfriend Mandy (Andrea O’Reilly) to check on his friends, the humor and discussions that ensue define the complexity of the characters and their choices ahead.
Richard finds Mandy refreshing and uncomplicated, but Sarah finds her nauseating. Nonetheless, it is Mandy who unwittingly questions the juxtaposition between taking photos of the tragedies in war versus actively helping the victims, confronting Sarah and James with the questions of “Who are you?” vs. “Who do you think you are?”
Time Stands Still is a reminder to all of us that we need to strike a balance within our own lives before we can make any changes in the world. Yes, a picture speaks volumes to us and has the power of teaching lessons beyond words. But what are the lessons being taught, and what do we do with those lessons?
Time Stands Still opens Friday, March 28, at Shoestring Theatre in Lake Helen, with performances at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and 2:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. It runs through Sunday, April 6.
Tickets cost $20 for adults, $17 for senior citizens, and $15 for students. Seniors and students must call the box office to purchase their tickets at 386-228-3777. Adults can purchase tickets on the website at shoestringtheatre.net.
Shoestring Theatre is located at 380 S. Goodwin St. in Lake Helen.
