The stage is set as Livingston’s Blue Slipper Theatre presents the first production of its new season with Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Annie Baker’s The Aliens this month. Performances are set for November 14th–23rd. Friday and Saturday shows will begin at 7:30pm, with Sunday matinees to follow at 3pm. The local production is directed by Sarah Sherman.
The Aliens is a quiet, contemplative play about friendship, loss and the search for meaning. Set behind a small coffee shop in Vermont, it follows two thirty-something dropouts – KJ and Jasper – who spend their days hanging out, talking about poetry, music, and their dreams that never quite came true. When Evan, a shy teenage employee, begins to interact with them, the unlikely trio forms a fragile bond that’s both funny and deeply human.
The play is known for its minimalist dialogue, long silences, and naturalistic pacing – hallmarks of Baker’s style. It explores themes of loneliness, mentorship and artistic failure, offering a tender look at the connections that form on society’s fringes. Despite its quietness, The Aliens delivers a powerful emotional impact through small moments and unspoken truths.
Tickets for The Aliens are $20 for general admission and are available at www.blueslipper.org. Seating at the Blue Slipper, located at 113 E Callender, is limited. Please call (406) 222-7720 for more information. •
