Mrs. Mannerly
Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities: 1/26 – 2/21
Jeffrey
Hatcher’s “Mrs. Mannerly” is a memory play about a time in 1967 America when
there were such things as “manners.”
In total avoidance of a season of Little
League baseball, the ten-year-old Jeffrey has agreed to enroll in a class
taught by Mrs. Mannerly that meets on the second floor of the Third Street YMCA
in Steubenville, Ohio.
The teacher is
an amiable, no nonsense champion of etiquette and social manners based in the
Emily Post tradition. Most of the respected and respectful citizens of
Steubenville have been raised under her watchful gaze and strict tutelage. She
has even instructed Jeffrey’s mother in the traditions of Ms. Post’s book.
Leslie O’Carroll
is superb in the role of Mrs. Mannerly. One of Denver’s most beloved actors,
it’s always a treat to get to see this artist command the stage. And command
she does! Imperious for the most part, O’Carroll portrays her character’s sudden
and short-lived attacks of vulnerability in a startlingly hilarious er, “manner.”
Graham Ward
is a brilliantly funny whirlwind of boyish mischief as he performs the roles of
Hatcher and all the other members of the class. This is the first time this
reviewer has had the chance to see Mr. Ward’s acting and one hopes to see him
soon again upon the Denver stage.
Director
Edith Weiss elicits performances from her cast that capitalize on the great
good humor in Hatcher’s play, as well as the poignancy of the friendship that
grows between student and teacher.
Samantha Saucedo’s costume design and Jon
Olson’s lighting add immeasurably to the evening.
If you,
like this reviewer, need a respite from the barbaric lack of manners in the
political news this election year, “Mrs. Mannerly” could be just the ticket!
Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities is located at
6901 Wadsworth Blvd, Arvada, Colorado
Tickets are available on line at arvadacenter.org or by phoning the Box Office at
720-898-7200
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