Sometimes the Rain, Sometimes the Sea

Directed by Kate Bergstrom ‘18 MFA and written by Julia Izumi ‘19 MFA, Sometimes the Rain, Sometimes the Sea intersects the borders of fantasy and reality as we know them. Dominated by rain clouds, lovestruck royals, mermaids, and even a talking cow, the Sock & Buskin production is anything but your average fairy tale.Sometimes the Rain, Sometimes the Sea details the story of "The Little Rain Cloud,” an unconventional adaptation of the classic tale of the "The Little Mermaid." Within this tale, a little rain cloud is miraculously born with a soul and a fascination with the human world below. The rain cloud meets a human named Ralmond who loves the rain. The protagonist instantly falling in love with the stranger despite the fact that Ralmond is already in a relationship. Faced with a scenario of unrequited love that is as complicated as “religion and carbohydrates," the rain cloud takes the advice of a friendly cow named Bessie on how to win Ralmond’s affection and become human. As the tale unfolds, the audience becomes familiar with the constant interjections of Dolan, self-proclaimed genius, author, and narrator of “The Little Rain Cloud." Dolan swears by the originality of “The Little Rain Cloud," insisting that it is a “contemporary” masterpiece not to be mistaken with the tale of “The Little Mermaid." But as conflicting storylines increasingly interrupt the plot and Dolan’s characters wrestle further out of his control, the audience learns the true nature of Dolan’s connection to “The Little Mermaid” and its original author, Hans Christian Andersen.The dynamic nature of this production and its characters constantly keep the audience on their toes. The play is as humorous as it is insightful, making it a treat to watch. As the rain cloud, Karishma Swarup ’19 perfectly conveys the silly mannerisms of a cloud fresh out of the sky, not entirely aware of what it means to be human and in love. As Ralmond, Kai Barshack ‘20 paints the perfect picture of the quirky subject of the rain cloud’s love, a dreamer stuck at a disconnect. Marianne Verrone ‘19 successfully encompasses Midi’s down-to-business attitude as Roland’s partner, far more concerned with tackling civic issues than dreaming about romantic fairy tales. As Edvard and Ina, Conor Sweeney ’18 and Oyindamola Akingbile ‘18 foster terrific banter and chemistry on stage, providing insight into the fairytale trope of love-at-first-sight. Maaike Laanstra-Corn ‘21 further impresses as the little one, encapsulating the lively energy of a young storyteller with big ideas. In portraying Dolan (and Hans Christen Andersen), Brendan George ‘18 successfully vivifies the author’s complex personality, loneliness, and overwhelming desire to be loved and seen. Finally, in playing Bessie, Anthony DeRita ‘18 commands the audience’s attention with every batted eye and comedic quip, a cow who refuses to be confined to the title of “sidekick." (Editors note: Anthony has been a part of Blog since his freshman year). The multifaceted nature of Sometimes the Rain, Sometimes the Sea makes this play truly compelling. We see the origins of “The Little Rain Cloud” and the classic mermaid story that inspired it reflected in the life of Hans Christian Andersen, troubled by unrequited love and a tendency toward excessiveness in his pursuit of affection. In providing insight into Andersen’s personal life, the play provides context for the unhappy ending of his most famous tale and inquires about the cost of sacrificing one’s entire self in the name of love. Ultimately, in allowing a diverse set of characters to question who and why and how they love, Izumi and Bergstrom successfully craft pure and radical joy.  Image via ***Written by Julia Izumi ’19 MFADirected by Kate Bergstrom ’18 MFAStarring:Marianne VerroneKarishma SwarupKai BarshackBrendan GeorgeAnthony DeRitaOyindamola AkingbileConor SweeneyMaaike Laanstra-Corn