You’re going to speak more than 123 million words in your lifetime. But what will you do when they run out? 

Theatre KAPOW opens its 18th season with the New Hampshire premiere of “Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons” by Sam Steiner at Bank of New Hampshire Stage in Concord from September 19-21.

In a world where spoken language is restricted to a set number of words per day, the choices about what is said — and not said—take on profound meaning. “Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons” follows Oliver and Bernadette, two people grappling with the limits of communication and the impact it has on their relationship. Hilarious yet poignant, the play explores what happens when we can no longer speak freely and how humans continue to communicate through actions, body language and the spaces between words.

In times of increasing uncertainty, playwright Sam Steiner’s dystopian romantic comedy, tempered with hope and laughter, is exactly the type of story we need. 

“I think people laugh most days. I really do feel that even in the most brutal of circumstances, you can hear great laughter,” he explained in a 2023 interview with Port. “Well, when horrible things happen, that’s also when humanity can be so good.”

The theme for the 18th season is ‘reverberate.’ The company will explore a series of shows that speak directly to how history has a way of reverberating into the present.

“We are excited to start new conversations,” said artistic director Matt Cahoon. “We are excited to learn from the past and impact the future. And, most of all, we are excited to partner with our audiences to share in the communal experience of live theatre.” 

ASL interpretation will be available at the Sunday, September 21 matinee performance at 2:00 pm at the BNH Stage in Concord.

The company of actors features Glenn Provost, who played Vanya in last season’s “Life Sucks,” and Ashley Risteen, a newcomer to theatre KAPOW. The show is directed by Matt Cahoon and stage-managed by Carey Cahoon, with intimacy choreography by Kyrie Ellison. Frequent collaborator Tayva Young is the lighting designer, and costume design is by Barbara Holbrook.

Performances of “Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons” are September 19 and 20 at 7:30 p.m. and September 21 at 2:00 p.m. the BNH Stage in Concord. The series sponsor is Saint Mary’s Bank. For tickets or more information, visit www.tkapow.com.

About theatre KAPOW

Theatre KAPOW (www.tkapow.com) develops ensemble productions of great dramatic literature to explore the human experience and inspire and challenge both artist and audience.  The theater company places emphasis on the importance of rigorous formal training to develop an ensemble of skilled and dedicated theatre artists.

Theatre KAPOW is supported in part by NH Dance Collaborative.

About Sam Steiner

Sam Steiner is a playwright and screenwriter from Manchester, England. His other plays include “You Stupid Darkness” (Paines Plough/Theatre Royal Plymouth/Southwark Playhouse), “Kanye the First” (HighTide) and most recently “A Table Tennis Play” (Walrus Theatre) at the Edinburgh Fringe.  Steiner was Playwright Fellow at Paines Plough and holds an MA in Screenwriting from the National Film and Television School. His most recent film release was “Morning,” directed by Justin Kurzel and starring Laura Dern and Benedict Cumberbatch.