Sun. Aug. 19

A romance with the sea? Don't all we New Englanders have it? I've sailed with friends on Boston Harbor, and spent time sitting on a rock on Plum Island gazing wistfully into the great beyond. But thoughts of actually being on the sea for long periods of time or working on it ... uh, no. Lots of respect for those who can and do, but it seems like the romance would wear off right when the danger kicked in. And it's there. ("The Perfect Storm," book and film, made that rather clear to all.) We hear about deaths at sea all the time. Approximately 10,000 fishermen have perished out of Gloucester over time. And that's one of the themes addressed in Frank Tedesco's play "The Souls of the Sea," which closes Sunday Aug. 19 at the GHS Theatre in Gloucester. (Tedesco also collaborated on songs for the play with local country-folkie Allen Estes. And the two have recorded four CDs under The Souls of the Sea moniker.)  "This is real American folklore," says Tedesco. "The fisherman are the true cowboys of our culture. The fisherman of Gloucester and their families have fought a war with the sea for over 400 years." The play is about those at sea, those left behind, those that are forever parted by the deep blue. The play, dircted by Gloucester native and Rockport resident, Nan Webber, starts at 7:30. Tickets are $20. They're available at various stores around Gloucester and Rockport or at the website below.

32 Leslie O'Johnson Rd., Gloucester, www.thesoulsofthesea.com