Be sure to grab a seat at "The Counter," TheaterWorks' poignant production extended to March 22

A retired fire-fighter's mundane morning routine as the earliest patron of a small town diner develops into an exchange on the meaning of life - and death in TheaterWorks Hartford’s current offering, "The Counter." Two characters - customer Paul ( Tim Dekay) and waitress Katie (Justis Bolding) enter and exit the sole set of a spare diner, one day after the other, for most of the play. Neither look fully put together in costume designer Risa Ando's choice of everyday wear for a pair whose lives just may be unraveling. Their small talk at the break of each day starts off innocently enough - predictable and playful at best - until lighting designer Matthew Richards' subtle illumination and deft use of a spotlight, clue the audience into the pair's private thoughts of fondness for one another.

When diner lights brighten to bring back the reality of the day Paul vociferously convinces Katie to take the risk to become friends instead of mere acquaintances. Why? So they might share, of all things - secrets.

Turns out both have doozies! Paul's stems from a vial he keeps close at hand before passing its grave responsibility of ownership onto Katie. Her's from 27 voice messages saved on her phone, after fleeing ties in NYC and resettling in diner territory, off the beaten track near Albany.

There's another secret or two - divulged by Peg (Erika Rolfsrud) the only other customer to take a seat (albeit briefly) at the counter. Yet, Rolfsrud's wise and wistful presence connects the three characters in a bittersweet way. All three, it seems, grieve close encounters with great loss: one physical, one familial, and one emotional. All three can contribute to each becoming survivors of their own anguish. But will they?

Director Rob Ruggiero's delicate touch in this thoughtful exchange of relationships captures the meaning of friendship and its ability to tame one's demons by means of everyday interaction with each other. Set designer's Tijana Bjelajac's diner, though authentic, is unadorned, leaving more room for ideas than interior decoration. Matthew Richards' lighting design adds a cool blue tone to the ordinary days in an ordinary town many in the audience will recognize and feel a part of.

“The Counter” by Meghan Kennedy runs through March 22 at TheaterWorks Hartford, 233 Pearl St., Hartford. Performances are Tuesdays through Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. ) and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. For more information go to. twhartford.org.