constellations

Named one of "The Best Bay Area Theater We Saw in 2025" 

On the surface, there was nothing terribly flashy about Nick Payne’s Constellations at the Pear Theatre in Palo Alto. A group of actors — George Alexander K., Raven Douglas, Thomas Nguyen, Sahil Singh, Elana Swartz and Vivienne Truong — enter an open space, pair off and begin spilling their guts. The pairings were different at each performance, and at the end of the show, the audience got to make decisions for the next audience coming in the following night.

You’d be forgiven in thinking this sounds gimmicky. But under the direction of Reed Flores, it proved that theater need not have bells and whistles, just a great story and fantastic performances that grip the audience. If Bay Area theater is going to survive, phenomenal shows like this one will need to be at its forefront. — David John Chávez

Reviews

"Constellations is given an innovative, insightful, and invigorating twist by director Reed Flores in the current production by The Pear Theatre." - Theatre Eddys/Talkin' Broadway

"Director Reed Flores has crafted something truly beautiful here. I can only imagine the time and care that went into bringing this piece to life; it’s easily one of the most vulnerable and emotionally exposed works I’ve ever seen onstage." - Broadway with AJ & Sarah

"Under director Reed Flores, the feeling of ensemble is powerful, even with three couples who never interact. ... For theatergoers who enjoy having their brain cells realigned, I can’t recommend “Constellations” enough. It’s a remarkable piece, delivered by talented players" - The Almanac

"...thanks to Flores’ steady direction, such a fine production deserves full houses for every performance." - For All Events

AWARDS

SFBATCC, Best Production (SP, >100 seats)