Good theatre entertains.

When one spends a certain amount of money and two hours on a Friday or Saturday night, one hopes to be entertained. If in addition to being entertained your brain is stimulated and provoked, you’ve had an extraordinary night at the theatre.

Through November Moonlight is such a play. Surprise and sentiment are a one-two punch delivered at the Shine House and the audience never recovers. Jean-Paul DeVellard has written an engrossing and thought-provoking drama. He is often compared to one of America’s greatest playwrights --- Tennessee Williams. Both have a sultry, Southern, lyrical style with combustive characters. DeVellard’s current play brings Bertolt Brecht to mind. Brecht was notable for using theatre to make his own personal political points. Unlike Brecht, however, DeVellard brings out his “big ideas” subtly on stage through an organic story. As an owner of Final Exit by Derek Humphry, I applaud the Blueberry Pond Theatre Ensemble for tackling one of the life and death issues of our time.

The play opens on an appealing New Orleans balcony. After the first scene, the actors swiftly reveal Hallie Flanagan Wolfe’s charming Westchester living room for the remaining scenes. (Director) Cynthia Granville has assembled a topnotch cast for Ossining’s latest professional offering. Jill Maynard plays the terminally ill Taffy, married to stoic ex-Marine (with an authentic buzz cut) Cal, played by Nick Raio. Bruce Barton plays her closest friend and eternal bachelor, Rankin. The rapid pace of the play, the perfectly staged scenic pictures and the dead-on emotional ebb and flow kept the audience’s rapt attention to the play and all are a credit to Granville.

Jill Maynard’s Taffy is the fulcrum of the play and she carries it off with aplomb. It is easy to see why both men are in love with this bright, witty woman. Nick Raio couldn’t be better as Cal. He is believable and riveting as his character makes the greatest sacrifice: love over ideals. Bruce Barton gives a bravura performance as their flamboyant friend. He strikes just the right three-dimensional note in a role that could easily become a caricature. His silent reading of Taffy’s diagnosis is a truly touching moment and demonstrates his impressive acting chops.

Through November Moonlight is a play that will not only keep you glued to your seat while watching it, it will provoke discussions with loved ones long after the play is over.