Haverhill, MA (August 31, 2022) – The Haverhill Campus of Northern Essex Community College will once again come alive with the sounds of the stage as the NECC Theater presents its first production of the 2022/2023 season “Love/Sick” by John Cariani.

Cast of “Love/Sick”

The show is comprised of nine short plays, each exploring themes of love. “New love, old love, tired love, exciting love. The plays begin with infatuation and progress to mature love with each vignette,” director and NECC theater professor Brianne Beatrice says. “The show will make you both laugh and cry. It is both hilarious and touching. The writing style is outside the box.”

Outside the box is nothing new for Beatrice. When faced with the challenge of bringing live theater back to campus safely during the pandemic, she decided to stage a production of “Tiny Beautiful Things” outdoors on the Haverhill Campus in the fall of 2021. It was such a success that the spring production of “Lighten Up” was also performed outside.

“Love/Sick” stars current NECC students Dan Toothaker, Jessica Newey, Olivia Barberian, Kayla Clegg, and Elian Gonzales. The cast also includes NECC alums Sarah Durning and Aileen Corniel and guest artists Caroline Forbes and Bridget Saunders.

The show opens on September 15 with performances at 4 pm on September 15 & 16, 2 pm on September 17, and 3 pm on September 18. Tickets are $20 ($10 for seniors and students) and can be purchased in advance or at the door (cash only). Due to the mature subject matter, this play is recommended for ages 18-plus.

Cast of “Love/Sick” rehearse on the Haverhill Campus

“Love/Sick” will be staged in the quad near the “B” building on the college’s Haverhill Campus, 100 Elliott St, Haverhill, MA. In case of inclement weather, the performance will be held in the theater on the top floor of the Spurk Building on the Haverhill Campus, 100 Elliott St.

This will be the start of a busy fall for NECC Theater. A staged reading of “Stop Kiss” by Diana Son is scheduled for October on the Lawrence Campus. And a second show, “Proof” by David Auburn, will open in November. Guest director Matthew Lundergan will direct it.

For additional information on shows or theater classes at NECC, email Professor Brianne Beatrice at bbeatrice@necc.mass.edu.