This content was originally published by the Longmont Observer and is licensed under a Creative Commons license.
In the opening scene, an older retired man, Gunner (Steve Grad), converses with a stranger, Jack (Bunk Hess).
Gunner's wife, Peg (Abigail Wright), comes into sight and begins to listen to the conversation.
After what seems is enough torment for Peg, she walks in and says, "Gunner, that's not a stranger. That's your son, Jack."
It's at this moment that 'The Outgoing Tide' reels you in and doesn't let go until the final act.
As the play proceeds, Gunner continues the downward spiral of losing himself. Peg gets caught up with what she thinks is the right thing to do and Jack is in the middle of it all.
Set on the Chesapeake Bay, the play is an emotional and, at times, humorous and lighthearted, family drama about Alzheimer's and free will.
Grad delivers an authentic depiction of an adult slowly losing his sense of self. Hess captures what it's like to be stuck in the middle of a family dealing with a progressive disease as he enters the season of life where one's parents become your children. Wright portrays Peg well and shows the sweet, sensitive, yet old-fashioned nature of the character.
The director, Jim Carver, stages the drama with a beautiful minimalistic set, drawing the audience into the characters.
"It's not about the environment, it's about what is going on in their minds," says Carver.
At times, flashbacks occur throughout the play to provide the audience some insight into the family's past. While the time shifts could have been confusing, Carver uses sound and light, changing from soft to bright, to notify the audience.
"I wanted it to look like a black and white photo," said Carver.
At under two hours, 'The Outgoing Tide' is a heart-wrenching and realistic depiction of how Alzheimer's infiltrates the family and how they cope with the decay of a loved one.
'The Outgoing Tide' is presented by The Longmont Theatre Company at 513 Main Street. Show dates are September 15, 16, 22, 23 at 7:30 pm and September 17 & 24 at 2:00 pm. Please visit longmonttheatre.org or call 303-772-5200 for tickets.
