The setting at the Cellar Theater is small and intimate and it makes an ideal location for Sam Shepard’s ‘Fool for Love.’ A dark and gloomy motel room complete with run down furniture sets the mood for the somber story. The cast is small but they deliver big as the story of two former lovers unfolds in a motel in the desert. It includes Damon C Mentzer as Eddie, Holly Clifford as May, Bill Gundry as the Old Man and Michael Zaiontz as Martin.

Right from the start it becomes clear that this couple has seen their share of drama. May wants to go on with her life without Eddie and now has a job and on the night that he shows up, a date with a man named Martin. Eddie has other plans, as he has tracked her down and traveled for days to convince her to leave with him and settle down in Wyoming. They have bonded over the years and want to be together but they are doomed to keep repeating their destructive patterns. When Martin shows up to pick up May he finds himself stuck in the middle. Throughout the play the Old Man sits to the side and talks to May and Eddie and comments on each character and about himself. It is later revealed that the Old Man has a scandalous connection to both of them and is the reason May is hesitant about her relationship with Eddie. At the end Eddie leaves without May, May packs her suitcase and leaves alone and Martin is left in the motel room too confused to do anything but just stand there looking out the window.

‘Fool for Love’ is an intense production and the combination of the setting and the story creates an almost voyeuristic atmosphere. The focus is on the night’s confrontation rather than a developing story and the past plays a major role because it comes back to haunt their present. Mentzer and Clifford work well together and their onstage chemistry is believable. Zaiontz does an excellent job as the confused and clueless Martin and Gundry as the Old Man ties it all together with his emotional and regretful performance. It is a show not to be missed but it should be noted that it contains adult language and content and may not be suitable for everyone.

‘Fool for Love’ is now playing at The Playhouse San Antonio’s Cellar Theater through Sunday February 5, 2017. Show times are Friday and Saturday at 8p.m. and Sunday at 3p.m. Ticket prices range from $12 – $42 and may be purchased online or by calling the box office at (210) 733-7258.