"Shipwrecked!" - by Donald Margulies - New Players Theatre Guild (Fitchburg, MA.) - REVIEW
(Cover Photo: The CAST of Donald Margulies' "SHIPWRECKED! AN ENTERTAINMENT" from New Players Theatre Guild in Fitchburg, MA. through May 17, 2026. Photo Courtesy of NPTG)
By Kevin T. Baldwin
METRMAG Reviewer
# 774-242-6724
“My bed becomes a raft upon the rocky ocean."
- ("Louis") / Donald Margulies
New Players Theatre Guild
Presents Donald Margulies'
"SHIPWRECKED! AN ENTERTAINMENT"
The Amazing Adventures of Louis de Rougemont (as Told by Himself)
Written by Donald Margulies
Directed by Martha Brooks
Cast Includes: Chris Wiley as “Louis de Rougemont,” Traci Bartlett as “Player 1,” Sabrina Hildreth as “Player 2,” Bruce Lucier as “Player 3,” A.J. Nieves as “Player 4.”
Additional Creative Team:
First Producer – Missy Cote; Second Producer – Gabby Russel; Stage Manager – Sabrina Hildreth; Props Master/Assistant Stage Manager/Foley Tech – Mary Philpots; Sound Design - Tom Powers; Sound Tech – Ben Cote; Lighting Design – Matt Valari; Lighting Tech – Charles Amaral; Set Design – Martha Brooks; Set Construction – Hal Smith; Scenic Charge Artist – Nancy King.
Performances:
May 8, 2026 through May 17, 2026
(Contact Venue for Exact Dates and Times)
New Players Theatre Guild Center for the Performing Arts, 15 Rollstone Street, Fitchburg, MA. 01420
TICKETS:
Phone # 978-345-6570 nptg.org
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COVID 19 PROTOCOLS
Contact Venue for Most Updated COVID-19 Safety Protocols and Information.
(Warning: The following review contains spoilers)
New Players Theatre Guild (NPTG) sails into silliness with "SHIPWRECKED! AN ENTERTAINMENT" - a comedy drowning in nautical nonsense.
Steered by straightforward storytelling, the play is augmented (or "hoisted") by cleverly incorporated specialized lighting, sound and preposterous looking props.
The script by Donald Margulies aptly describes itself as “the deliberately hyperbolic title of a play about the very nature of artifice and storytelling.”
"SHIPWRECKED! AN ENTERTAINMENT" debuted in 2007 then would later be staged Off-Broadway in 2009 where it received a nomination for Outstanding New Play at the 2009 Outer Critics' Circle Awards.
Presented by New Players Theatre Guild as two acts, we are propelled through the madcap plot as indicated by the show’s subtitle: “The Amazing Adventures of Louis de Rougemont (as Told by Himself).”
Louis de Rougemont (Chris Wiley) narrates the entire 100-minute story supported by four companions simply described as “Player 1” (Traci Bartlett) “Player 2” (Sabrina Hildreth), “Player 3” (Bruce Lucier) and “Player 4” (A.J. Nieves).
Wiley is totally engaging as Louis, who regales us with his (ahem) “hard to believe” chronicling of being lost at sea and his subsequent adventures of being (dare I say it?) "SHIPWRECKED!"
(Photo: The CAST of Donald Margulies' "SHIPWRECKED! AN ENTERTAINMENT" from New Players Theatre Guild in Fitchburg, MA. through May 17, 2026. Photo Courtesy of NPTG)
The “Players” display cohesiveness and fine versatility portraying various characters Louis encounters along his “fabled journey” while also navigating the various clever and unusual props, costumes and set pieces maneuvered throughout the tale.
The script for "SHIPWRECKED! AN ENTERTAINMENT" by Donald Margulies flows nicely although the entire vibe of the piece unfolds as if it would be better presented as an ongoing fun attraction one might see regularly played out at a nautical-themed amusement park or museum.
The NPTG cast and creative team for "SHIPWRECKED! AN ENTERTAINMENT" deserve high praise indeed for the collective effort of everyone involved here.
(Photo: The CAST of Donald Margulies' "SHIPWRECKED! AN ENTERTAINMENT" from New Players Theatre Guild in Fitchburg, MA. through May 17, 2026. Photo Courtesy of NPTG)
Unfolding on a simply marvelous set, the play is overflowing with a multitude of varied amusing tricks and gimmicks, all expertly staged by director Martha Brooks.
"SHIPWRECKED! AN ENTERTAINMENT" continues atNew Players Theatre Guild in Fitchburg, MA. until May 17th, 2026 and deserves to be seen before it pulls up anchor and sails off forever.
For tickets or more information, contact # 978-345-6570 or visit nptg.org.
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Approximately one hour, 40 minutes with one intermission.
Kevin T. Baldwin is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA)
@MetrmagReviews
@Theatre_Critics
ABOUT THE SHOW
Donald Margulies's "SHIPWRECKED! AN ENTERTAINMENT - The Amazing Adventures of Louis de Rougemont (as Told by Himself)" tells the grand tale of Louis de Rougemont, a famous adventurer, who gets lost on the high seas and ultimately ends up seeing fantastic things, and meeting exotic people.
The story is told to audiences by Louis himself, who is proud to have the viewers come along as he retells the story of his amazing journey from the seas of England to the exotic lands of Australia and back again!
He is aided in retelling by the highly talented players who play all of the people and animals that Louis meets along the way, all while providing sound effects and scenery changes seamlessly.
All may not be as it seems however, as the truth of Louis's great tale is called into question by multiple experts.
"SHIPWRECKED" brings the joy of sorry telling alive, and questions whether a story being real or fabricated, make the journey any less treasured.
This is a great family friendly show!
There will be a matinee on Mother's Day and chances to win mom a basket of goodies!
ABOUT NEW PLAYERS THEATRE GUILD (NPTG)
The goal of NEW PLAYERS THEATRE GUILD (NPTG) is to foster and promote an active interest in community theater. It is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to encouraging people of all ages to participate in the joy of creating quality theater for the Montachusett area audiences. NPTG presents small to medium-scale musical productions and musical reviews for the public as well as straight plays. NEW PLAYERS THEATRE GUILD was founded in 1975 and varies in membership size, but has, at times grown to a membership of over 120 people. The group is managed by a Board of Directors, elected yearly by the membership, as well as several committees that carry out the various activities of the organization.
15 Rollstone Street
Fitchburg, MA. 01420
# 978-345-6570
