It has been just over ten years since I last saw The Cemetery Club at Scripps Ranch Community Theater, just a piece down the road from PowPAC. Now it's Poway's turn to house this charming play. Kate Hewitt is at the helm, directing a fine cast. Her designer, Raylene J. Wall, has provided a well-lived-in set and a unique and very personal setting for the cemetery. I got just a touch of déjà vu remembering that Wall directed that other version ten years ago.
In her director's notes, Hewitt mentions a theater truism: "90 percent of directing is casting." Casting Diane Thrasher, renee Levine [sic], and Lucy Ann Albert as the three widows who visit their deceased husbands regularly is inspired. Thrasher, as Ida, brings qualities of stability and strength to the perennial mourners. Albert, as Doris, brings deep sincerity to the group. levine, as Lucille, provides a wonderful eccentricity. This ensemble mixes and matches to near perfection. Their repartee is a continuous stream of Jewish one-liners, which reveals much about each of the widows.
Act II opens with the three getting dressed to be bridesmaids for a much-married friend's latest wedding. The three dresses are hideously pink, of a design that is totally uncomplimentary. While Ida and Doris dress in the living room, Lucille dresses in the privacy of an upstairs bedroom. She makes a grand entrance in a Dolly Parton-style wig and a push-up bra that allows for little modesty.
It is, however, the second scene that has us laughing hardest. The no-longer ladies return home quite a bit beyond tipsy. The one-liners and the over-the-top acting make for an inspired scene. This is balanced by a near-soliloquy from Levine at the cemetery, which closes the show. Throughout, the outrageous humor is often balanced by moments of introspective comments.
Two actors we see little of are Tom Delaney, as Sam, a friend, a very serious friend of Ida, and Ilene Kruger, as Mildred, a not-so-serious friend of Sam.
Kruger absolutely takes full command of the stage for her short time on it. She is one very, very funny human being.
The technical and design staff create an excellent unity as The Cemetery Club explores relationships, love, death, and the foibles we all have. As it was ten years ago, it is funny, it has serious moments, and it is an enjoyable production.
