THE OLD STATES by Lain Kienzle-Snowed in With a Stranger

By Gini Chang

Gini Chang

‘Tis the season of summer flings, but the 90+ degree heat these days has me fantasizing about winter more and more. Then again, I’ve always been more of a winter lover. When it’s snowing terribly outside I can snuggle under blankets with a hot beverage and a good book. Then in the morning I can peek outside to see the beautiful landscape. It’s been said that snow takes an environment that you are familiar with and recreates it until you no longer recognize where you are.

In Lain Kienzle’s play The Old States, two young adults living in the countryside meet in the midst of a heavy snowstorm. Mildred, a 25 year old who is home alone with nothing to protect her but a rolling pin, finds a collapsed George on her front porch and drags him into her home to save him. They both turn out to be extremely lucky judges of character. 

GEORGE: Nice to meet you ma’am. Thank you for abducting me and holding me hostage inside your lovely kitchen.

George is a friendly, teasing young man, but evasive when Mildred questions his origins and motives for travelling in a snowstorm. Nevertheless, Mildred is a compassionate host who would rather make tea than kick out her mysterious guest.

Mysteries, however, were made to be solved. Buried in snow and with no one else around for miles, something about being in the presence of a stranger makes them feel safe and as the night continues, Mildred and George discover each other’s unexpected secrets.

Does the idea of a wintery field of snow bring back memories for you? Want to know more about what Mildred and George are hiding? Comment below or tweet us @RiantTheatre and come see Lain Kienzle’s play The Old States at the Strawberry One Act Festival on Friday, July 15^th at 7pm; Sunday, July 17^th at 7pm; and Saturday July 23^rd at 1pm at the St. Clements Theatre: 423 West 46^th St, NYC between 9^th and 10^th Ave.