By Shannon Neu, Staff Writer

Published in print Jan 21, 2015.

Theater, dance, and music intertwined last Friday in Aycock Auditorium to tell stories of love, lust and longing. The New York City based theater ensemble, S.I.T.I. Company, moved audience members with its performance of “Café Variations.” The performance, which included only six actors, was composed of scenes from playwright Charles Mee’s works that take place in cafés.

“Café Variations” explores ideas surrounding identity, love, and relationships in the both intimate and social atmosphere of a café. The performance features various pairs of characters who, through a series of interwoven vignettes, communicate and reach conclusions about human progress, happiness, and the complexities of identity and romance. The soundtrack features classic pieces composed by George and Ira Gershwin.

Some pairs of characters are more convincing than others, and those that are make a significant impression with their wit and unexpected insightfulness. One quarreling couple that stood out in Friday’s performance, Andrew and Edith, seduced one another through a hilariously intense game of cards.

Another includes Tilly, who is committed to visiting the café daily and waiting to stumble upon the great love of her life, and Henry, the waiter who eventually volunteers to take on that role. While one spends years of her life patiently waiting for love, the other falls in love at first sight. This is just one of the many situations influenced by an undercurrent of contrasting elements.

The theme of juxtaposition recurs throughout the play. Two characters go from discussing the depth of individuality and the enigmatic way two people happen to fall in love with one another, to suddenly discussing a personality test that identifies only three types of people. Later, a fighting couple whines about their own problems instead of listening to one another, and then accuses the waiter of not listening closely enough to their orders. Instances such as these support the play’s theme of the complexities of individuality and love.

A significant theme of the play is that of the philosopher Martin Heidegger’s notion that one’s identity is strongly influenced by his or her interactions with other people and their environment. This shines through as characters evolve into stronger individuals and partners the more they interact with one another and the café environment.

This performance of “Café Variations” was a smaller version of the original, downsized to make the set and characters more easily able to tour. The original version of “Café Variations” was a musical with a live band and a cast of 30. The condensed version performed at Aycock Auditorium, though scaled back into something lower-budget, still maintained a high quality of performance.

The actors, set, and music portray a high-society feel.  The characters don frilly dresses and suits. The set is simple, yet clearly portrays the charm and elegance of a café atmosphere.

SITI (Saratoga International Theater Institute) Company was founded in 1992 by Anne Bogart and Tadashi Suzuki. It is a contemporary, ensemble-focused theater company that emphasizes the innovation of new work, the training of young theater artists, and a commitment to international collaboration. SITI Company has received many awards, including American Theatre Wing, Elliot Norton and Obie awards.

“Café Variations” is both entertaining and thought-provoking. Its jarring contradictions, sassy humor, and poetic optimism inspired reflection and made the performance a delight to watch.