Professor of Geophysics Ever Montgomery has Asperger’s Syndrome (now considered part of the Autism Spectrum), and social interactions are a problem for him, with physical contact being the most difficult one of all. Ever is going to receive an award and part of the dinner in his honor includes dancing, but he’s a fighter so he decides to get a dancing lesson. He learns that a neighbor in his apartment building is a Broadway dancer recovering from a serious injury who might need some cash, and could be the ticket to finding his inner Astair, assuming he can overcome the big elephant in the room – he can’t stand to be touched. Dancer Senga Quinn is having a hard time dealing with her recovery form a knee injury, fearing her allergy to anesthesia will make an operation impossible and that she may never be able to do the thing which gives meaning to her life. When Ever makes his (awkward) proposal, Senga wants nothing to do with it, until she learns he’s willing to pay a lot of cash for a one hour lesson. So begins “Dancing Lessons,” a wonderfully written play by Mark St. Germain, following the oft-used rom-com theme of two people who start out with a huge gulf between them but find out how much they have in common as time goes on. The play, which Ensemble Theatre Company opens tonight, takes it to another level with wit, gobs of spot-on observation and commentary and many stimulating twists and turns as the two protagonists reveal more and more about themselves. Superb actors Trevor Peterson (last seen in ETC’s “Death of a Salesman”) and Leilani Smith, perfectly directed by Sandra McClain (both worked in ETC’s “Intimate Apparel”), make for a riveting and fast paced evening of top notch theater at the New Vic that will touch you and make you think too. Playing June 13 to 30.
