Conflicts and cocktails at the Clare Rose Playhouse

Theresa Rebeck’s “Sunday on the Rocks” is a comedic drama about the difficult choices that shape our lives. Beneath its sharp ’90s dialogue lies a thoughtful exploration of four young women struggling to reconcile expectations against reality. Rebeck’s humor and emotional undercurrents are brought to life by a talented cast in the first production of the 2026/2027 season at the Clare Rose Playhouse in Patchogue.

At the center of the story is Elly (Jamie Jones), who thrives on chaos and drama. Elly is proud of her destructive behavior and admits taking pleasure in being outright nasty to one of her roommates. However, underneath Elly’s facade is an extremely pained, vulnerable young woman with a desire to be better. Jones skillfully conveys Elly’s duality with impeccable comedic timing as she embraces Rebeck’s rapid-fire dialogue and blunt observations, often cutting directly to the truth without sacrificing the humanity beneath the laughs.

As the group’s peacekeeper and voice of reason, Gayle (Megan Donato) is the most grounded of the four ladies. She consistently puts out fires before they become blazes until an Act II turn, where her frustration finally wins. Donato finds the balance between dry humor and genuine concern, allowing her pointed observations to land as acts of friendship rather than cruelty, but her finest moments come from her expressions, many times stealing scenes without saying a word.

As Jen, Alexandra Thomas is a delightful wildcard in her return to the Clare Rose stage.

Previously seen here in dramatic roles, Thomas brings a host of laughs this time around, painting the promiscuous Jen as a little detached and spacey while unleashing random nuggets of brilliant observation. Thomas captures Jen’s unpredictability perfectly, generating laughs while slowly unearthing the turmoil of someone suffering from Stockholm syndrome.

Finally, there is Jessica (Katie D’Alto), who we hear plenty about in Act I, but do not meet until Act II. Jessica is in a stagnant relationship, struggling to convince herself that change is possible despite many overt hints it is not.. D’Alto delivers a compelling performance, tempering Jessica’s stubborn optimism, insecurity and OCD with genuine authenticity. The emotional depth of her final scene after the play’s explosive climax anchors the production with a decisive exclamation point.

Ultimately, what elevates this production is the chemistry among the four performers. Their interactions feel authentic, capturing the rhythms of friendships where frustration, judgment and support naturally coexist. Director James Carey allows these moments to breathe, frequently utilizing silence to magnify the impact of the scene—those familiar with Carey’s work will recognize his influence throughout. With strong performances, thoughtful direction and candid dialogue, this production delivers laughs while offering a poignant examination of friendship, love, and the courage required to change. “Sunday on the Rocks” runs through Oct. 11. Call 631-654-0199 for tickets.