John Cariani’s new play “Love/Sick” is the perfect ‘sequel’ to his extremely well-respected play “Almost, Maine.”

Love/Sick is a one-act show, which follows a series of scenes surrounding the idea of love, and how it affects us in the deepest ways. All connected by the Super Center of the city, these scenes bring to light the complexity of communication and what it means to not only love someone else, but yourself as well.

At the final preview performance, one of the four actors became ill, and like a superhero, Mr. Cariani stepped up to the plate. From the start, he stole his own show. It was incredible watching such a talented writer bring his own characters to life with the other actor on stage. Cariani is known for staring in his own productions at times, which I find to be inspiring to say the least. To be able to have the opportunity to create complex characters and then be able to bring them to life? It’s a gift and honor which I am sure Cariani is more than grateful for.

The language, though simple, allows each quick vignette to have a full story-arc; all of the stories are given the same focus and time from both the actors and audience. Cariani also used his new show as an opportunity to bring same-sex relationships into the forefront of his conversation. In his previous show Almost, Maine, there is a scene between two men who end up ‘falling for each other.’ However, it is never specified if they have fallen IN love, or simply become closer as friends. Many high schools have performed this incredible show, but some have found the two guy scene too controversial. Cariani pushed those criticisms aside, and wrote a completely explicit love scene between two men AND two women; it was truly beautiful.

Love/Sick is playing at 145 W. 46th St. in Manhattan until February 26th.