The first thing you notice is the set. It's a wonderful, realistic replication of a dilapidated Missouri boathouse with rickety, shuttered walls, old wooden docks, and a boat smack in the middle of it, sitting in the "water." The play and its players use this set literally, and they use it metaphorically. It's very effective, and the metaphor is not lost on the audience.

Thunder River Theatre Company has created a sincerely touching rendition of this rather difficult and emotional play. Under the direction and design of Lon Winston, the two actors, Richard Lyon and Valerie Haugen, produce riveting performances. This is high quality drama, performed and orchestrated by professionals. Winston has acted, directed and designed professionally and taught theater for over 30 years. Valerie Haugen seems to melt into Sally, and makes the audience yearn for her to pull herself out of her frightened shell. Richard Lyon’s portrayal of Matt is as complex and as heart-wrenching as the character himself.

Certainly, the most telling way to determine how a performance is being received is to listen to the audience. At last Friday night's performance, the audience was right in the river, metaphorically speaking, with the players.