By Oregon Coast TODAY
Lincoln City’s Theatre West continues its special run of plays to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the troupe with “And Miss Reardon Drinks a Little,” opening Thursday, March 13 and running through April 5.
A Broadway success authored by Paul Zindel, this biting, touching and often wildly funny play probes deeply into the tortured relationship of three sisters whose lives have reached a point of crisis.
Set in the early 1960s, the dark comedy explores the relationship among the very different sisters after the death of their mother.
The action takes place in the Reardon family apartment, where sisters Catherine, played by Devonee Trivett, and Anna, played by Teresa Johnson, are living. Several months of caring for her sick mother only to see her pass has left Anna suffering a severe nervous breakdown. She has become a complete hypochondriac, obsessed with animals and rabies. Catherine’s reaction to both her mother’s death and her sister’s ailment has been to “drink a little.”
The third sister Ceil, played by Laurie Hurla, did not have any sort of contact with the family while her mother was suffering, but rather ran off to marry Catherine’s boyfriend, the mentioned-but-never-seen Edward Adams.
Ceil has come to the Reardon home to coax Catherine into having Anna committed. Neither Anna nor Catherine is interested in anything their sister has to say. Halfway through dinner a woman who works in guidance at the school where Anna and Catherine work, Fleur Stein, played by Cheryl Durinick, invades the family conversation and is later joined by her husband Bob, played by Dave Jones.
Family drama and high jinks ensue.
Theatre West veteran Bryan Kirsch directs the play, first performed at Theatre West and directed by Marj Nylund in 2007.
“I call it ‘Three sisters with mommy issues,’” Kirsch said. “Despite the title, the play is not centered around alcohol, it is centered around the somewhat crazy relationship between the sisters.”
Due to a few temporary physical setbacks, Kirsch has had to depend on others more than anticipated getting the play ready for opening day.
“I have had to rely a lot on the cast and crew and it almost makes me want to cry how great they’ve been,” he said. “I’ve actually had less stress with this one than any other I’ve directed.”
Two new cast members have impressed Kirsch and contributed to the lack of stress as a director.
“Teresa is brand new to the stage and is doing remarkably well,” he said. “And Laurie hasn’t done anything since high school and has really stepped into the role.”
The cast is filled out by Tricia Chandler as Mrs. Pentrano, and Chris Vono as a delivery person.
With some adult language and themes, the play is not recommended for kids.
- “And Miss Reardon Drinks a Little” runs through April 5, with performances at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and a 2 p.m. matinée on Sunday, March 30. Tickets are $20 for adults and $18 for seniors aged 60 and older. Theatre West is located at 3536 S.E. Highway 101, Lincoln City. For more information, go to theatrewest.com or call 541-994-5663.
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