Fall in Love with “KAIROS” This Valentine’s Day: A Hilarious and Heartfelt New Play About Love, Time, and Immortality at Theatre NOVA
- Encore Staff Writer
- Feb 6
- 5 min read
Theatre NOVA, Ann Arbor’s resident nonprofit professional theatre specializing in new plays, is thrilled to present the National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere of “KAIROS” by Lisa Sanaye Dring, directed by Producing Artistic Director Briana O’Neal. This captivating love story opens on Valentine’s Day (February 14) and runs through March 16, 2025, with showtimes on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM, Sundays at 2 PM, plus special matinees on Saturday, 2/15, 3/1, and 3/15 at 3 PM, and evenings on Sunday, 2/23, and 3/9 at 6 PM. Single tickets are $30.
“Kairos” tells the story of Gina and David, whose budding relationship is upended by the advent of a groundbreaking medical procedure that grants immortality to a select few. As they navigate the thrilling early days of falling in love, they’re forced to grapple with the profound question: What happens to love, commitment, and care when mortality is no longer a factor?
Featuring a stellar cast, including Josie Eli Herman (Gina) and Mike Sandusky (David), and a talented production team with Monica Spencer (set), Jade Guerriero (lights), Kennikki Jones-Jones (sound), Carla Milarch (props), and Elise Blochwitz (stage manager), “Kairos” promises to blend hilarious rom-com moments with heartfelt reflection on life and love.
Actress Josie Eli Herman shared her perspective on the play:
“Our culture can sometimes prioritize youth and superficial beauty over happiness, self-acceptance, deep connection, and love. The characters of Kairos struggle to find their way and their connection to each other in a world not so different from our own. It beautifully rides the line between a hilarious rom-com and a heartfelt reflection on life and love.”
Actor Mike Sandusky, who plays David, added:
“I hope the audience gains a greater appreciation for our time in this universe and our choices. The time we have is so precious, and what we choose to do with it affects not only us but also those around us. I hope the audience leaves knowing that we should approach every day with care, understanding a new piece of ourselves as we grow through life.”
“Kairos” is part of the National New Play Network’s (NNPN) Rolling World Premiere program, which facilitates the development and production of new plays through a series of distinct productions at multiple theatres. Partner theaters for this premiere include Know Theatre of Cincinnati (Cincinnati, OH) and East West Players (Los Angeles, CA). According to NNPN, this flagship initiative incentivizes collaboration, builds momentum for a play’s future, and ensures the playwright is integral to the development process. Learn more at nnpn.org.
Founding Artistic Director Carla Milarch reflected on the play’s resonance:
“This play deals with love and time, two of the most universally mystifying forces in the human experience. As someone married for 17 years, I've become aware of how time works its way on love, both reinforcing and demolishing it. But love also works its way on time. In a strong relationship, time becomes irrelevant after a while. This play asks: What happens if one of these components changes in such a fundamental way? So much good juicy stuff to chew on!”
In celebration of its 10th anniversary season, Theatre NOVA proudly presents a full lineup of six world-premiere productions, highlighting the organization’s decade-long commitment to championing the importance of new plays and emerging playwrights. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to join us in celebrating a milestone year with some of the most innovative and thought-provoking new works yet!
TICKETS
General admission tickets for plays are $30. Theatre NOVA continues to make theatre accessible by offering pay-what-you-can tickets to all performances for those who need them. Tickets, memberships, flex passes, and subscriptions may be purchased online at www.TheatreNOVA.org. Tickets may also be purchased in person one hour before each performance.
Seating in the theatre will begin 30 minutes before each performance. All seating is assigned seating. Theatre NOVA recently installed new, cushioned theatre seats for added patron comfort.
Theatre NOVA offers a subscription program as the best way to see quality programs at a discounted price. Subscribers save on single-ticket prices and guarantee their seats for all our plays this season. Subscribers get easy exchanges, no per-ticket fees, a pass to our Michigan Playwright’s Festival, and our eNewsletter, which keeps them updated on future events. If patrons prefer greater flexibility, our popular Flex Pass offers six tickets for any show and date.
For more information, visit www.TheatreNOVA.org.
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Current COVID-19 Policy as of 9-01-2024
Theatre NOVA is known for its intimate space. Our priority is to keep our artists safe and healthy to ensure that we can stay open. Please be advised:
All artists and staff are fully vaccinated.
Two bathrooms (one upstairs) are available for patrons upon request.
We perform a ventilation audit once a year.
One performance for each show will require a mask to provide a safe space for our immunocompromised patrons and those who want a higher level of risk mitigation. Check the breakdown for which show is the masked performance.
We review this policy regularly. It is subject to change at any time, following local, state, and federal guidelines. Please check our current COVID-19 policy before your scheduled performance date.
MISSION
Theatre NOVA’s mission is to raise awareness of the value and excitement of new plays and playwrights and to provide resources for playwrights to develop their craft by importing, exporting, and developing new work.
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:
Showtimes are February 14-March 16, 2025. Fridays & Saturdays @ 8pm, Sundays @ 2pm, Saturday 2/15, 3/1, 3/15 at 3pm, Sunday 2/23, & 3/9 @ 6pm.
Single tickets are $30
Friday, February 14 at 8:00 pm - Opening Night, Valentine’s Day
Saturday, February 15 at 3pm
Saturday, February 15 at 8:00 pm - Student Night: $5 Tickets for Students
Sunday, February 16 at 2:00 pm
Friday, February 21 at 8:00 pm- Industry Night: $15 Tickets for Theatre Workers
Saturday, February 22 at 8:00 pm
Sunday, February 23 at 2:00 pm
Sunday, February 23 at 6:00pm
Friday, February 28 at 8:00 pm- Audience Masks Required
Saturday, March 1 at 3:00pm
Saturday, March 1 at 8:00 pm
Sunday, March 2 at 8:00 pm
Friday, March 7 at 8:00 pm
Saturday, March 8 at 8:00 pm- OLLI Night: $25 Tickets for OLLI Members
Sunday, March 9 at 2:00 pm
Sunday, March 9 at 6:00pm
Friday, March 14 at 8:00 pm
Saturday, March 15 at 3:00pm
Saturday, March 15 at 8:00 pm
Sunday, March 16 at 2:00 pm - Closing Night
WHO:
Playwright- Lisa Sanaye Dring
A National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere
Director- Briana O’Neal
Gina- Josie Eli Herman
David- Mike Sandusky
Stage Manager- Elise Blochwitz
Set Designer- Monica Spencer
Lighting Designer- Jade Guerriero
Sound Designer- Kennikki Jones-Jones
Properties Designer- Carla Milarch
THEATRE NOVA STAFF
Carla Milarch, Founding Artistic Director
Briana O’Neal, Producing Artistic Director, Resident Stage Manager
Shelby R. Seeley, Associate Artistic Director, Literary Manager
Becky Fox, Business Manager, Director of Education
Sarah Elisabeth Brown, House Manager
Lindsey Brown, Summer Camp Director
WHEN:
Showtimes are February 14-March 16, 2025. Fridays & Saturdays @ 8pm, Sundays @ 2pm, Saturday 2/15, 3/1, 3/15 at 3pm, Sunday 2/23, & 3/9 @ 6pm. Single tickets are $30
WHERE:
Theatre NOVA
410 W Huron, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
There is ample free parking and quick access to the city’s restaurants, bars, bakeries, and coffee shops. New patrons can find Theatre NOVA across Huron Street from Ann Arbor’s YMCA through a parking lot entrance on the north side of the street.
ON THE INTERNET: