The Fountain Hills Theater opened Jan. 8 in the cozy Main Stage II, with Lanford Wilson’s Talley’s Folly.

It is a love story between two complete opposites and their struggle to make it work. To paraphrase the director, “This is a love story about identity and spiritual isolation.” The two actors, Dave Ray and Carrie Ellen Jones, are on stage the entire 97 minutes and are amazing.

I guess you can say if you really love someone, never give up, no matter the differences. Dave, as Matt Friedman, is a 42-year-old Jewish accountant from St. Louis.

Sally, played by the incomparable Carrie Ellen Jones - who was so awesome in “The Runner Stumbles” - plays Sally Talley, a 31-year-old Missouri-born “shiksa” on the verge of spinsterhood. Being raised in a small town in Missouri, I completely relate.

Sally’s uncle, Everett, built the boathouse where all the action takes place and looks like the gazebo he had hoped to build. You never see any family on stage, but you know them nonetheless, i.e. brother Buddy aiming a shotgun at Matt and telling him to go. As she says, not quite the Hatfield’s and McCoy’s, but you get the idea.

Slowly we learn about each of them through their monologues. Matt comes on stage at the very beginning in a Thornton Wilder-like setting telling the audience that we are going to see a “once upon a time” event only available in the theater.

It plays through Jan. 17. Call 480-837-9661 x3 for tickets.

Mark on your calendar the big fundraiser for Broadway in the Hills, Sunday, March 6. It’s a beach theme so bathing suit, anyone?

See you at the theater.