“Are
We There Yet?” is the current production at Wayside
Theatre in Middletown. Cast members (from left) are J.T.
Arbogast, Thomasin Savaiano (center), Melissa Graves, and
Larry Dahlke.
(Photo Provided by Wayside Theatre) |
Every conceivable experience
a family undergoes is hilariously and contemplatively brought
to life in “Are We There Yet?”
The Leo M. Bernstein Wayside
Theatre production, which opened Saturday and continues through
July 1, addresses not only the early years of the developing
family but the many complicated events in between, and then
leads up to the senior citizen phase.
Four performers carry off the
numerous scenes, depicting proms, weddings, adoptions, and
much more, in a collection of vignettes and musical numbers.
Current headline-making issues
are not ignored with references to gay partners becoming parents
and adults who were adopted as children finding birth parents
Veterans to the Wayside stage,
Larry Dahlke and Thomasin Savaiano, know no limits when it
comes to pulling off the quick changes through scene after
scene of real-life type experiences.
Newcomer Melissa Graves is a
welcome addition to the cast with her excellent timing and
sense of comedy.
In one scene, she masterfully
depicts a dog-lover of mammoth proportions who prizes a dog
over her children. Graves brings the character hilariously
to life with total immersion in the part.
The fourth cast member, J.T.
Arbogast, who has previously appeared on the Wayside stage,
moves from one character to another with extreme ease bringing
new meaning to many of the exaggerated portrayals.
His depiction of a private school,
sissified headmaster was engaging and off the charts as far
as hilarity, in addition to a stereotypical portrayal of a
baseball coach.
Sets by Til Turner and lighting
and sound by Christopher Ham keep the stage elements flowing
smoothly adding to the frivolity and depth.
Costumes by Tamara M. Carruthers
contribute to the hilarity especially for certain off-the-wall
types each family has but does not want to acknowledge.
One example is a senior citizen,
played by Dahlke, who is dating a boat-load of women since
his wife died. He comes to life adorned in high-water pants
and suspenders, while using a walker, displaying the pictures
of all the ladies he visits.
On the other hand, the wedding
scene shows the seriousness of the event with gowns and tuxedos
as the father of the bride really doesn’t want to give
his daughter away.
The musical comedy was written
by James Hindman, Ray Roderick, and Cheryl Stern with music
by John Glaudini and additional music by Tom Kochan and lyrics
by Yvonne Adrian.
The newness of the play was
revealed in the dialogue with references to TV shows, such
as “Dr. Phil” and “The View.”
Superb piano playing by Steve
Pryzyblski (also music director for the play) filtered through
every scene, adding to the comedy or poignancy.
An unforgettable scene includes
an exchange between an adopted daughter, Graves, and a birth
mother, Savaiano, who thought they had found each other but
the birth year is incorrect.
While beautifully pulling off
this serious scene, the women change the tempo and are complete
opposites in a hilarious scene about mothers who avidly and
maniacally follow the athletic teams of their children.
Also, a mother reveals how her
gay son and his partner adopt a child that is accepted by her
husband by a simple gesture — getting the crib out of
the attic.
Singing voices left a little
to be desired with a few notes not quite reached or somewhat
off tune.
But looking at all elements
of the production, it is a performance worth seeing and one
that will tickle your funny bone while bringing to light many
serious and familiar issues families face.
Tickets for the play, directed
by Warner Crocker with music direction by Steve Pryzyblski,
are available at 869-1776.
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