Ever found yourself stuck in life with secrets you’d rather keep under wraps? Imagine if the only escape route meant baring your soul to a complete stranger. RESCUE ME thrusts us into the turbulent world of two plane crash survivors who only have each other and a limited number of supplies to survive. As they navigate the vast expanse of the open ocean, they’re not just battling nature’s fury but also facing their own quirks and, of course, each other. It’s a survival story with a side of humor, a splash of unexpected camaraderie, and a little divine intervention.

This three-member cast delivered an entertaining performance right from the opening moment. The instant the lights illuminated the stage, we were submerged into the distinct personalities of Emory O’Rourke (Caroline Kinsolving), a resilient and independent woman, possibly fleeing from her troubles, and Cliff Talbot (Peter Story), a God-fearing flight attendant who remained committed to tending the to the sole surviving passenger. Amid a cascade of tense events, we witnessed the dynamic struggle between these two characters, as they grappled not only with each other but also with their own internal conflicts.

The chemistry between Kinsolving and Story was exceptional. Although their characters are not siblings, their bickering and arguments resonated with me as it almost felt like watching my own brother and sister dynamic unfold on stage. Their performances were not just outstanding, but also incredibly believable. While I thoroughly enjoyed Kinsolving and Story’s delivery, Dave Pierini, who portrayed God and others, left a lasting impression. Pierini handled some of the most challenging characters in the play with command, grace, and a generous dose of humor. All three actors in this show were phenomenal, delivering an entertaining spectacle that captivated the audience from start to finish.

I cannot fail to mention the remarkable sets and creative design that ingeniously transformed the same structure into diverse settings – a floating airplane wing in the ocean, a scalable mountain, and even one of God’s portals. The synergy of these versatile sets, coupled with the strategic use of lighting and sound, provided the perfect immersive experience, truly transporting the audience to the specific locations of each scene. Designing distinct scenes in a limited space can be challenging and the work of the designers was not only creative, but instrumental in creating a vivid and authentic backdrop for the narrative.

RESCUE ME emerged as the triumphant entry in B Street Theatre’s 2022 New Comedies Festival, where playwrights vie for the opportunity to see their works evolve into a full-fledged B Street production. This marks not only the World Premiere of the play but also adds an extra layer of coolness as it was collaboratively written by Tara Sissom-Pittaro and Peter Story, the very actor who portrayed Cliff Talbot in the production.

If you are looking to be rescued from a mundane evening, look no further than seeing RESCUE ME at The Sofia, Home of B Street Theatre, playing now through February 18. You’ll leave buoyed by laughter at this theatrical voyage worth every comedic wave. Learn more here.