Factory Theatre's 37th season began this past weekend with its opening of Apple. The show, directed by Artistic Director Ken Gass, is a powerful and heart wrenching piece dealing with a love triangle that takes a fateful twist.

Andy (Kevin Hanchard) and Evelyn (Sarah Orenstein) are in a marriage that has forgotten itself. Enter Samantha (Niki Landau), to bring the worth to Andy he believes he deserves. At the moment Andy decides to leave her, Evelyn reveals that she has cancer. To make things worse, Samantha is her oncologist.

This is the point at which the story becomes most interesting as the relationships that have been established take on completely new dimensions. Andy is torn between his passion for Samantha and his new found rekindled love (brought on by her need for him) for Evelyn.

This is an amazing piece of writing and a must-see for everybody. The dialogue is quick, honest and has many levels to it. The performances are beautifully delivered and completely engaging. The trio are a powerful statement to what level of acting the city possesses. Gass' direction is sublime as he concentrates on the many levels of the script and offers us a dark, shadowed vision of the story.

Kimberly Purtell's lighting, all done from above the actors, creates a dark and gloomy reality that helps to accentuate the bleak environment of the story. The bitter truth offered by the piece only serves to elevate the other brilliant facets of it. When one leaves the theatre they are not only entertained but entranced.

Apple is playing until Nov 12 at the Factory Theatre

Photo: Kevin Hanchard and Sarah Orenstein in Apple