Innocent Romance

Fate brought authors Nathaniel West and F. Scott Fitzgerald together in the baggagecar of a New York-bound train. Both men died out West and their coffins were being transported to New York. Inspired by this historical coincidence, Arlene Hutton has built a nostalgically innocent romance between two of the train’s other passengers in “Last Train to Nibroc” at the Powerhouse Theatre.

Jeff Storer skillfully directs this three-scene play, carefully combining the sensitive and delicately humorous performances of Milly Sanders and Adam Saunders on Chuck Catotti and Chris Norkus’ minimalist set.

The world was at war in 1940, and lives changed. The prudish though well-meaning May (Sanders) is traveling back to Kentucky with a large novel in hand to defend herself from conversation with strangers. When the seat next to her opens up, a uniformed soldier and fellow Kentuckian, Raleigh (Saunders), starts up a teasing conversation, delighted at the fidgety nervousness of the attractive woman beside him.

Both have buried their dreams. She is returning from Los Angeles, having broken up with her fiance. A medical condition prevents Raleigh from becoming a flier and serving his country. In the ensuing three years, their romance progresses in fits and starts.

Although they meet on a train, they aren’t going to Nibroc. Nibroc is the name of a festival in Corbin, Ky. Although born and raised there, May has never been to what she considers a sinful celebration. It’s at this festival, two years later, that we see the couple again. A preacher is courting her, but her missionary zeal is sorely tested. A year later, shame and guilt reunite May and Raleigh on the porch of May’s home.

Hutton builds her piece on common, almost mundane tragedies. Most of the action takes place on or around a bench. Catotti and Norkus use a white screen, light and shadows (lighting design by Carmen I. Abrazado) to suggest a train. Light later makes the screen translucent, revealing the suggestion of a house window.

The simplicity of the set leaves the focus on the emotions of the couple, exquisitely drawn by Sanders and Saunders. Sanders’ May flutters with fretful indecision and good intentions. Saunders’ Raleigh is a calm man who makes peace with the problems he faces but yearns for adventure and fame.

This production has the humor and sentiment of a Norman Rockwell illustration. Under Storer’s hand, it stays on track, never plunging into sappiness.

*

* “Last Train to Nibroc,” Powerhouse Theatre, 3116 2nd St., Santa Monica. Fridays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 6 p.m. Ends April 14. $20. (310) 358-5956. Running time: 1 hour, 40 minutes.