A chance of love at Topsail S.U.F. this weekend
By Local Initiative Reporter Tyler Waugh
Chris Panting and Michelle Lambert may be husband and wife in real life, but the duo portray a different dynamic as two strangers on a train in the upcoming CBS Theatre production of 2 Across.
Lambert and Panting enjoyed portraying the battle of personalities and styles – which, ironically, reflect their own – that play out while their characters work to solve a New York Times crossword puzzle on a 90-minute train ride.
“It’s a wonderful challenge to play strangers when you know your scene partner better than almost anyone,” said Lambert. “But that’s also what makes it so much fun.”
Written by Jerry Mayer, 2 Across begins as a battle of personalities but develops into an unexpected connection as the pair reveal more about themselves over the course of the train ride.
Lambert plays Janet, an organized, sensible psychologist. Panting plays Josh, a free-spirited, unemployed advertising executive – a character he related to in many ways.
“Josh is Jewish and that’s about the only thing we don’t have in common. He’s laid back, I am laid back. He’s not a good planner, he’s not good on following through on things… that’s me as well. Michelle might dispute this, but she’s pretty similar to her character, too,” Panting said. “Josh meets this woman on the train and she’s unlike anyone he’s been interested in before and the dialogue is really charming and witty. The clash of personalities is great and he’s trying to, I think, kind of woo her and she’s just too smart for him. She’s one step ahead, much like Michelle is with me most of the time.”
Panting was recognized at the 2026 Annual Provincial Drama Festival with a Special Adjudicator’s Award for Best Comedy Duo (Popcorn Falls). Lambert won the festival’s Best Supporting Actress award in 2019 for her performance in Jack Meets the Cat and Other Tales with School Zone Productions. The pair works professionally in film and television, with appearances and set design credits in shows including Hudson & Rex, SurrealEstate, Son of a Critch, Astrid & Lilly Save the World, Party Pirate, Sweet Angel Baby, Berries for Sale and the new Netflix series Below.
“2 Across is exactly the kind of intimate, character-driven comedy that gives actors an opportunity to really connect with an audience,” said Theatre CBS President Gord Billard. “With Michelle and Chris, we have two accomplished actors who also bring a very special chemistry to the roles.”
2 Across hits the stage October 2 and 3 at the SUF Hall in Topsail. For tickets and information, visit buytickets.at/theatrecbs Theatre CBS was established in 2022, has grown into an award-winning community theatre organization with a reputation for bringing a wide range of productions to audiences in Conception Bay South and beyond.