This Random World

How much do you know about what your parents do when you're not around? Beth is certain her mother Scottie is a homebody. Scottie's in her 70s and not as spry as she once was; where's she gonna go, Nepal? In fact, Scottie has been traveling around the world with paid companion Bernadette, a much younger woman who helps her when necessary. Meanwhile, Bernadette's sister Rhonda will soon meet Beth's brother Tim at work. All of these people are connected, or almost connected, just as they're connected to everyone they meet in some way. That's the nature of the world: it feels big, but it's jammed full of people who constantly and casually make contact with each other, if only to nod hello. Is it all chaos and sheer happenstance, or is the point of life to make those connections with people? Humans are social animals, but some are more so than others in Steven Dietz's This Random World. West End Players Guild opens its 108th season with the comedy about the might-have-beens and coincidences we call life. Performances are at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday (September 28 to October 7) at the Union Avenue Christian Church (733 North Union Boulevard; www.westendplayers.org). Tickets are $20 to $25.