Thursday, July 23, 2015

Always a Bridesmaid
Vintage Theatre: 7/17 – 8/29

                     L-R: Chip Winn Wells and Rachel Bouchard
     “Always a Bridesmaid” by Jessie Jones, Jamie Wooten and Nicholas Hope is a comedy about a group of suhthuhn belles who have made a pact while in high school that they will support each other by being each other’s bridesmaids as the time draws near for them to tie the knot.
     The life long friendships of the women described in this play may put you in mind of those presented by the playwright(s) in their previous play, “The Dixie Swim Club.” That play was also about a group of women whose friendships withstand the test of time.
     The action in “Always a Bridesmaid” takes place in Carlton Oaks, a fancy wedding establishment in Virginia. The lady who runs the joint is Sedalia. This character is played as a sort of exacting and persnickety control freak by Chip Winn Wells.
     Monette is played by a very funny Suzanne Nepi. She’s been married multiple times and owns a theatre of sorts in Nashville. This character is one of the plum roles and Ms. Nepi gets more than her share of the humorous lines.
     Cindy Laudadio-Hall plays Charlie, the down-to earth member of the group who suffers panic attacks the closer she gets to walking down the aisle.
     Libby Ruth is the friend who has remained married since shortly after high school. She’s a childlike woman who manages to sing intentionally loudly and off key and talks to stuffed animals.
     Kathi Wood’s portrayal of Deedra Wingate provides an anchor of sanity in this sea of pre-nuptial insanity.   She’s a judge who remains centered and poised most of her time on stage and provides us with perhaps the most natural of the performances.
     Rachel Bouchard is picture perfect as Kari Ames-Bissette, the daughter of Libby Ruth. Her character opens and closes the play with moments from her long-winded, rambling wedding reception toast, which becomes increasingly funny as she downs the wedding champagne.
     The costumes for the show by Christine Samar are fittingly outrageous.
Vintage Theatre presents
“Always a Bridesmaid”
Four friends have sworn to keep their Senior Prom promise: to be in each other's weddings.
July 17 - Aug 30*
Fri/Sat at 7:30 p.m.; Sun at 2:30 p.m.; Thurs., Aug 27 at 7:30 p.m.; Sat., Aug. 29 at 2:30 p.m.
$28 ($24 advance) 
303-856-7830 or online at www.vintagetheatre.org
Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St., Aurora 80010Marlowe's Musings 
*N

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