Mauritius: A Drama Not By the Letter

Dave Schroeder / PACA

Mark Anthony Capozzello (left), Jennifer Puz, Josiah Prittie, Aimee Wokutch, and JD Mizikowski

FRIDAY, SEPT. 23 - 24

Would you stomp someone out for their stamp collection? Paid postage may seem an odd premise for drama, but in Theresa Rebeck's Mauritius, it certainly delivers. 

The plot centers on estranged half-sisters Jackie and Mary as they vie for the rights to their deceased mother's stamp collection. The much younger Jackie is saddled with debt and sees a potential out when she takes the stamps to be appraised by the abrasive Philip. At the shop that day is Dennis, much more knowledgeable about philately and also looking to reverse his fortunes. 

Dennis notes two mid 1800s Mauritius stamps in the set, worth millions (for context, a Mauritius stamp recently auctioned for approximately $9.6 million in Germany). Dennis happens to be in cahoots with the cutthroat international businessman and avid philatelist Sterling, and assumes Jackie an easy dupe. Meanwhile, Mary lays claim to the collection via inheritance, and is too attached to sell. 

Since its 2006 debut in Boston, the play has proven more gripping than your favorite adhesive backing, with reviewers complimentary of its masterful use of pacing and tension. As it happens, playwright Theresa Rebeck not only has plenty of experience in theater, but also in television, having penned scripts for shows like NYPD Blue and Law & Order: Criminal Intent. She holds scores of awards and recognitions in both spheres. 

The PACA production of Mauritius is directed by Lisa Simonian and JD Mizikowski and stars Aimee Wokutch, Mark Anthony Capozziello, Josiah Prittie, JD Mizikowski, and Jennifer Puz. 

This play about stamps won't go on "forever," so grab your tickets before your invitation gets lost in the mail.

Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m. (final performance Friday, Sept. 30) // PACA, 1505 State St., 2nd Floor // $16 (with fee) // paca1505.org