"The Counter" - by Meghan Kennedy - Umbrella Arts Center (Concord, MA.) - REVIEW
(Cover Photo: Margaret Clark as "Katie" chats with “ranney” as very special customer "Paul" in a scene from "THE COUNTER" by Meghan Kennedy, now playing at Umbrella Arts Center in Concord, MA. until November 9, 2025. Photo Credit: Jim Sabitus)
By Kevin T. Baldwin
METRMAG Reviewer
# 774-242-6724
“What if we decide to become friends? Real friends. Like we tell each other secrets."
- ("Paul") / Meghan Kennedy
Umbrella Arts Center
Presents Meghan Kennedy's
"THE COUNTER"
Written by Meghan Kennedy
Director Alex Lonati
Cast Includes: Margaret Clark as "Katie," “ranney”* as "Paul," Maureen Keiller* as "Peg."
Additional Creative Team:Producing Artistic Director - Brian Borutta; Stage Manager - Vanessa C. Hart*; Technical and Production Manager - Carlie Nieman; Scenic and Properties Design - Julia Wonkka; Lighting Design - Ben Rush; Sound Design - Aubrey Dube; Assistant Sound Design - Jo Williams; Costume Design - Kelly Baker; Assistant Stage Manager - Zoe Pepin; Wardrobe Supervisor - Tree Brock; Sound Board Operator - Dani Smith; Scenic Charge - Page Evett; Executive Director, Umbrella Arts Center - Eileen Williston; Edi Consultant - Ariel Welch; Company Manager - Cathie Egan
* Indicates member of Actors' Equity Association
Performances:
September 26, 2025 through November 9, 2025
(Contact Box Office for Exact Times)
Black Box Theater THE UMBRELLA ARTS CENTER, 40 Stow Street, Concord, MA. 01742
TICKETS:
For tickets or more information, contact # 978-371-0820 or visit www.theumbrellaarts.org
BUY TICKETS
COVID 19 PROTOCOLS
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(Warning: The following review may contain spoilers)
Two characters who feel they have begun to know one another beyond their established “waitress/customer” relationship reveal suppressed secrets in "THE COUNTER" - a new play by Meghan Kennedy now playing at Umbrella Arts Center in Concord.
The short play by Kennedy is aptly titled as "THE COUNTER" immediately evokes ideas and perceptions of things upon which one can "count" - such as counting the number of people that appear within the play (three, btw).
Or maybe counting the number of minutes the play runs (75, btw).
Or perhaps certain plot elements within in the play just might run "COUNTER" to how you expect the story to unfold, which it does to some extent.
And yet, it also can evoke ideas and perceptions about things that can be counted upon - like friends.
People you feel you can trust.
Even though you may have only known them a short time, you feel you can confide in them and count on them in, especially in a time of need.
And all of this takes place at the most normal of places, at "THE COUNTER" of a local diner.
(Photo: “ranney” as "Paul" in a scene from "THE COUNTER" by Meghan Kennedy, now playing at Umbrella Arts Center in Concord, MA. until November 9, 2025. Photo Credit: Jim Sabitus)
The Umbrella Arts Center's single-set design of a diner for the show is stunningly detailed, providing director Alex Lonati with the perfect landscape for painting this tale that may seem familiar and a bit unsurprising but still captures and, more importantly, maintains our interest thanks to the seemingly sincere chemistry between its two stars.
Technically not a "two-hander" show, "COUNTER" (actually has three performers) but almost all of the play centers on the multiple exchanges over the course of a few days that take place between two.
Katie (Margaret Clark) is a waitress at the diner who moved to town two years ago.
“ranney” plays longtime resident Paul, who comes into the diner and chats with Katie every day.
(Photo: Margaret Clark as "Katie" in a scene from "THE COUNTER" by Meghan Kennedy, now playing at Umbrella Arts Center in Concord, MA. until November 9, 2025. Photo Credit: Jim Sabitus)
What begins as everyday light banter soon evolves into Paul suggesting they have a connection and would like them to become more acquainted with each other – not romantically, just socially.
Katie, reluctant at first, realizes she has no other friends in town, close or otherwise, so she agrees.
Their interaction is limited to these breakfasts at the diner as Paul helps Katie remove some old and “non-listened to” voicemail messages.
However, as more and more of these two characters and their respective stories are revealed, Paul makes an odd request of Katie.
(Photo: Maureen Keiller as "Peg" in a scene from "THE COUNTER" by Meghan Kennedy, now playing at Umbrella Arts Center in Concord, MA. until November 9, 2025. Photo Credit: Jim Sabitus)
We soon learn of Paul’s family and, in a stirring performance by “ranney” discover Paul has been dealt a fatal familial blow that no family member should suffer through, let alone being the one left behind fearing they may meet a similar tragic fate.
So, he makes a request of Katie to help him not meet a similar tragedy which, to Paul, is inevitable.
Katie is resistant to reveal her past to Paul as to her life before moving to town.
She soon lets him know her own levels of desperation and despair and her coming to town was not for new opportunities but escape.
(Photo: Margaret Clark as "Katie" chats with “ranney” as very special customer "Paul," in a scene from "THE COUNTER" by Meghan Kennedy, now playing at Umbrella Arts Center in Concord, MA. until November 9, 2025. Photo Credit: Jim Sabitus)
While Maureen Keiller as "Peg" is quite impressive in her only scene in the play, unfortunately there is not enough character development there to speak of or with which the actor can work to make more interesting.
However, it is a significant plot point for the backstory of Paul.
There are certainly unanswered questions left for us to ponder by the end of the play - but that is a strength not a weakness as it will keep folks continuously engaged, guessing as to certain meanings behind its conclusion, long after they exit the theatre.
That said, again, there's still virtually no surprises to speak of here - at least none that are worth "counting" - but the one thing you can count on is enjoying the rapport and relationship between Paul and Katie thanks to the tremendous chemistry between actors "ranney" and Clark.
"THE COUNTER" by Meghan Kennedy continues at Umbrella Arts Center in Concord, MA. through November 9, 2025.
Coming up next at Umbrella Arts Center will be the Jonathan Larson musical "TICK, TICK...BOOM" which begins October 10th and runs through November 23rd, 2025.
For tickets or more information, contact Umbrella Arts Center at # 978-371-0820 or visit www.theumbrellaarts.org
BUY TICKETS
Approximately 75 minutes with no intermission.
Kevin T. Baldwin is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA)
@MetrmagReviews
@Theatre_Critics
ABOUT THE SHOW
"THE COUNTER" is a heartwarming play follows the unlikely connection between Paul, a retired firefighter who goes every morning to the same small town diner, and Katie, who’s always there to pour the coffee.
After many months of small talk across the counter, the sharing of one secret grows into a deeply meaningful, life-affirming friendship—shocking both Paul and Katie into embracing the hopes and joys born of basic human connection.
This award-winning play is a surprising and moving meditation on the everyday connections that can change our lives. “
The subtle beauty of 'THE COUNTER' lies in watching these two burrowing creatures develop the kind of bond that means they’re pulling each other back up towards the light.” — New York Magazine
“Kennedy deals in secrets and grief and escape, in running away and starting again, and most crucially in standing in front of a suddenly opened door: You either stay inside, crushed by your habitual fear and unhappiness, or bravely walk through.” — New York Stage Review
ABOUT THE UMBRELLA ARTS CENTER
THE UMBRELLA ARTS CENTER enriches lives and builds a vibrant and inclusive community through the arts. THE UMBRELLA ARTS CENTER promotes creativity, learning, personal growth, and cultural exchange through accessible arts education programs, performing and visual arts presentations, and community collaborations.
40 Stow Street
Concord, MA. 01742
# 978-371-0820
