ANNA MARIA – After a successful start to their historic 73rd season with “Savannah Sipping Society,” The Island Players are just days away from the opening night of their second play of the 2021-22 season.
“Same Time, Next Year,” directed by Kelly Wynn Woodland and starring Mark Woodland (George) and Nancy Denton (Doris), will debut Nov. 4 at 7:30 p.m.
Written by Bernard Slade, “Same Time, Next Year” is the story of a couple that has a one-night affair at a hotel in San Francisco in the early 1950s. The two decide to meet at the same hotel once a year, every year to relive the night.
“The rules were that they didn’t contact each other or have any relationship throughout the rest of the year, they just meet this one time every year at the location where the affair took place,” Woodland said. “We the audience see it every five years as it progresses from 1951 to 1975.”
This story may sound familiar, and you may have seen it on the big screen. “Same Time, Next Year” was a film sensation in 1978 starring Ellen Burstyn, who won a Golden Globe for playing Doris, and Alan Alda, who played George. In all, the film garnered two Golden Globe nominations and three Academy Award nominations.
“Same Time, Next Year” will run from Nov. 4-14 at The Island Players on the corner of Gulf Drive and Pine Avenue. Tickets are available at the box office Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for $25. Showtimes will be Tuesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. Call 941-778-5755 for more information.