Cemetery Club is a Cure-all! Rosarito Theatre Guild has a hit.....
Cemetery Club is a Cure-all!
A Review by Craig Shaefer
If laughter is healing then put down the remote, get off the couch, and rush to the Old Vic Theater for a good dose of humor and laughter. Last night the Rosarito Theater Guild opened their latest production, Cemetery Club, under the expert direction of John Bell.
From lights up to the final standing ovation this fast paced, laugh filled and sometimes poignant performance took the opening night ‘sold out’ audience on a journey into the lives of three couples who have shared a lifetime together. Now only the three wives are left above ground to carry on the torch, remember, honor, celebrate and get on with living life.
Ivan Menchell’s engaging script is filled with great one liners.
Sylvia Dombrosky as the man hungry, bargain hunting Lucille, adeptly delivers zingers that hit their target and have us laughing out loud. Ida, played beautifully by Bev Gammon, is not only a sensible referee for her two friends, but also delivers much of the warmth and wisdom inherent in this play. Amy Chankin mines the part of Doris for pure gold as she struggles with change, hides her loneliness, longs for tradition and stubbornly holds on to the memories of her
dear Abe.
Every month these three ladies meet for tea and then make the journey to the cemetery to visit the graves of their life partners. Now add into the mix Sam, the handsome single butcher, played perfectly by Michael J. Stone. Sam is kind, patient, fun, romantic, youthful, and has an eye for Ida. Ida and Sam’s intimate moments are very well played and their awkward execution of a ‘first date’ is spot on. Of course Ida’s new found companion absolutely irks Lucille and Doris to comic ends.
I loved the tango dancing, the surprise appearance of Jenny J. Stone’s spunky widow Mildred, and Lucille’s heartfelt and angry confessions.
Kudos to the production team headed by producer Anne Hines. Their detail and care added to the consistent quality of this production. The set perfectly captures Ida’s living room, David Merino’s cemetery drop is well done, and costumes designed by Lynn Bell are a hoot.
Performances Friday, Saturday at 7pm, Sunday at 1pm.
Sept. 19, 20 & 25, 26, 27.
Old Vic Theater, two blocks west of Waldo’s, in Rosarito
Now go enjoy a good does of laughter. Bet it will be the best ten dollars you have spent in a long while.