New York, New York, the city of dreamers and those that never sleep, in such a populated place it is easy to feel lost and lonely. Sharing a tale of connection in the Big Apple, Ordinary Days hits the stage at The Q – Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre on 5-7 September.

The play shares the days and lives of four 30-something-year-olds who are all out to find purpose, meaning and significance.

Claire and Jason are at a crossroads in their relationship, moving in together they feel strained by the cramped space. There is Deb, a student doing her thesis on Virginia Woolf while struggling to find focus and meaning in her life. Then there is the quirkiest of the characters, Warren, who works for an artist handing out flyers and embodies optimism.

“For him, it is a passion. He has these positivity quotes that he’s handing out to people, and he thinks that it is giving his life purpose,” says Chris Zuber, Director.

Mr Zuber relates most to Jason who has ‘big dad energy’ but he says all of them are relatable. Everyone in the audience will be able to see themselves in one, if not all the characters on stage.

“The nice thing about the show is that while it’s very humourous for the most part, it has some really touching moments as well that anyone can relate to. Essentially, in a nutshell, it’s saying for us to live our lives and get through the ups and downs, we need human connection.”

The production started as a pandemic project; Mr Zuber says the performers studied the music to pass the time during the isolating period.

“For them, the only time they got out of the house and saw other people was to go to these singing rehearsals,” he says. “It wasn’t necessarily for an end goal, it was just to enjoy singing and learning music together, then it took a life of its own.”

Collectively they had the idea that they could do something with the show, then life went back to normal, and it went on the back burner until they decided to apply for Q the Locals. Seeing everything come together during rehearsals has highlighted the show’s message for the director.

“It reaffirms that idea of connection and how much we actually need that. Theatre is all about that in of itself; it is immediate, it is right in front of you, and the connection between the audience and the performers is tangible, palpable.”

The unofficial fifth character of the piece is the piano and its pianist on stage with our actors. Creating the atmosphere and helping to guide the story is local composer and the production’s Musical Director, Matthew Webster.

If there were a sixth character it would be New York City explains Mr Zuber, he says the stage set is simple and the city is brought to life through the movement of the actors.

“When they say it is the city that doesn’t sleep, it is definitely true. It’s accessible and lively, you can walk across a block and you’re in a completely different demographic, it is a magical place.”

Running at just under 90 minutes, the production is short and sweet. Mr Zuber says it is funny, fun, fast-paced and packed with beautiful musical numbers. In a short season, audiences have just four chances in three days to catch the show before it is gone.

The play has been on off-Broadway and smaller stages which is part of the appeal for Mr Zuber, who says it is a life-affirming feel-good play that reminds us of what life is really about.

“When it all boils down to it, it is making a connection with other people that is going to help us enjoy the best of life and get through the worst.”

Experience the connection in Ordinary Days at The Q – Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre on 5-7 September; theq.net.au

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