Review: ‘Love/Sick’ by Olympia Little Theatre

Rachel Benton

Have you ever noticed how many songs have been written about romantic love? Better yet, I wonder how many songs are not about romantic love? Our very human desire for romantic connection is inescapable.  

Now, I know there are so many other kinds of love, like that for family and nature. This is not about those loves, and that is OK because we need to talk about real life experiences with all stages of romantic love. 

Falling in love is so complicated, yet everybody pretends like it’s simple. Along with songs, there are tons of books that teach you how to fall in love “properly,” heal from heartbreak, or work on yourself. Some of these books might be better than others, but I’ve always struggled to fit into any formula. Being single and trying to navigate all this is not easy.  

“Love/Sick” is a compilation of nine different love stories. The script is clever and intelligent in more ways than one. It approaches the very real complications of being a human with a human heart, and it does so with empathy and tact. There’s discussion of the awkwardness of falling in love just as much as the challenges we face once we’ve found love. 

If you find yourself in a similar boat, or if you’ve ever been single in your life, buy a ticket to Olympia Little Theatre’s “Love/Sick.”  

If you are someone who has been in love, married, or in a relationship, buy a ticket too because this play does include what happens in a long-term commitment as the magic of romance fades away. 

This show is profound in more ways than one, and is like a medicine to our love sick souls. I cannot emphasize enough how important it is that you see this. 

The review 

This show reminded me of why I continue to go to Olympia Little Theatre.  

The cozy and immersive atmosphere in this small theater creates a sense of intimacy between the performers and the audience. When plays like “Love/Sick” are performed in this space, healing experiences inevitably follow. The team at Olympia Little Theatre is incredibly wise and knows how to pick the right play to get the most out of what they can uniquely offer.  

 OK, I’m going to make a bold statement — this was the best play I have ever seen at Olympia Little Theatre, and I’ve seen many treasured performances.  

I was really impressed with the attention to detail in each performance. Much of this is to the credit of Director Kathy Dorgan, who orchestrated this symphony of characters with intentionality. 

It would take too long to list every name involved, so I’m going to give a shout-out to my favorites. When you go see this play, please reach out to me and tell me who your favorites were:  

• Real life couple Alex and Anne Tracy made me laugh, smile and feel all my feelings at once with their depictions of a man and a woman, who meet at a grocery store and happen to share some of the same quirks. I just love a “meet cute,” don’t you? 

• Jake McCown and Chris Stanley play a gay couple, who are in that stage in their relationship where they want to be together, but recognize some of the challenges they might face. Their story stuck with me the most because it felt really vulnerable. Anybody who does not understand the legitimacy of the LGBTQ + community needs to witness this moment because it is an  extraordinary depiction of how love is love.  

• Karen Longo and Rob Duran made me laugh as their scene depicted a couple, who has exited the honeymoon stage and entered real life. Many surprises happen throughout their story, and both actors did a great job, navigating those moments in the most natural way possible.  

• I love the way Jackie Scolaro responded to every strange notion Tom Sanders kept throwing at her. Her performance was empowering and reminded me of the power and influence each of us carry, but we sometimes forget in the face of drama and insecurity.  

Altogether, “Love/Sick” made me feel better about all the challenges I have faced in my life. Best of all, it made me feel like I was not alone and it gave me a chance to laugh at it all instead of melting in loneliness and melancholy.