At one point during the first performance of Always A Bridesmaid at Ladysmith Little Theatre, I heard one man say this was one of the funniest plays he’s seen. And I have to agree with him.
Audience members were laughing out loud from the very beginning to the end Nov. 7.
The play, written by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope and Jamie Wooten, takes place over a period of seven years at historic Laurelton Oaks in Virginia. There, we meet four friends, who made a promise on the night of their senior prom to be in each other’s weddings and are still being each other’s bridesmaids more than 30 years later.
Always A Bridesmaid is a great story of friendship, love, keeping promises and sticking together, no matter what. It’s very well written and full of funny moments and clever lines.
The entire cast did a terrific job. The actresses have great chemistry together and each deliver many memorable moments.
Carina Gee is hilarious as Libby Ruth, a hopeless romantic whose sugary sweet positive attitude can get on her friends’ nerves sometimes. As Monette, a racy, self-centered but lovable woman who has been married many times, Lynnia Clark shines. Maureen Molyneaux has great lines and a great sense of physical comedy as tree-hugging, Birkenstock-wearing Charlie. Ann McInuity-Gogo delivers a very strong performance as no-nonsense judge Deedra.
Josee Duffhues has some really great moments on stage as Sedalia, the fussy owner of Laurelton Oaks.
Kyla Mitrovic produces many of the laugh-out-loud moments as Libby Ruth’s daughter, Kari. Between scenes, she ties everything together with snippets of her own hilarious wedding speech, in which she shares stories about her mother and her godmothers.
Director Bill Johnston, assistant director John Fox and the entire crew did a great job bringing this story to life and giving theatre-goers a chance to escape and get lost in a comedy.
Always A Bridesmaid runs until Nov. 23 at 4985 Christie Rd. Tickets are $20 for non-members or $18 for members or groups of 10 or more. For more information or to reserve tickets, call 250-924-0658 Wednesdays and Fridays from 2-4 p.m. or visit www.ladysmiththeatre.com.
