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entertaining u newspaper: your monthly guide to entertainment
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by Dick Kerekes
The Atlantic Beach Experimental Theatre opened its fourth show of its 16th season last weekend, with Paul Zindel’s biting comedy Ladies at the Alamo. This show will run through March 29th at the Adele Grage Cultural Center, 716 Ocean Blvd. in Atlantic Beach Florida. Call 249-7177 for reservations and information.
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The plot concerns the politics behind the scenes of an established regional theatre in Texas City, Texas in the late l970s. (The play debuted on Broadway in l977). The play is set in the reception room of the new Alamo theatre, and the room has the stamp of the founder and artistic director with lavender walls and a bull’s head skeleton on the wall. Dede Cooper (played with a very strong hand by Pam Larson), pretty much has done what she has wanted as director and some of it a bit different. For example, she used live pigs on stage in “Tobacco Road”, a chrome castle for “Hamlet” and real Texas monkey grass specially grown for the current production of “The Seagull”.
Joanne Remington (given the elegant treatment as played by Libby Maxell), is a rich spinster who has financed all of this, but wants to show her power by replacing Dede with a former movie star, whose career has been on the skids. Shirley Fuller is still a very attractive woman and played with conviction by Ellen Hare, but she has a whole lot of hidden baggage in her resume that I will let you discover for yourself when you see the play.
Dede’s assistant in the operation is her best friend, Bella, who is married to a man, who has 32 million dollars but owes 42 million but Bella is going to keep on drinking and raising hell until the final tab comes due. Judy Hulett plays Bella and she chews up the scenery with her liquor inspired ranting, dancing and singing, and provides much of the humor in the play. Be warned Bella uses a l lot of profanity, if that sort of thing bothers you.
The final character is Beatrice but called Suits, because of the clothing she wears. She is the personal secretary to Ms. Moneybags, Joanne. Katie Metz, in her second role at ABET has a moving and emotional monologue in Act II, concerning her special relationships, and lifestyles.
Act II is called the Massacre, because all hell hits the fan, as everyone attacks everyone else, and you learn more than you want to know about all the personal lives of all the ladies. Several actors performed on tape only and are only heard over the intercom system. They include Rebecca Brewer, Julia Fallon, Daniel Haralambou, David Paul Kidder, Kristen King and David Mechoso.
There are not many plays that feature all women in the cast, and I cannot recall any play that has five such strong roles for women.
Under the direction of Managing Artist Director Celia Frank, the five actresses are outstanding and powerful with their portrayals of these very different and unique females. (I wouldn’t want to be married to any of them. Well maybe could put up with the rich Joanne).
The action of the play covers a period of a couple of hours, so there are no costume changes, and the apparel co-ordinated by Mary Ellen Richards and the cast is picture perfect for an opening night at the theatre.
Bryan Frank designed the lights and the sound. Ms. Richards also handed the stage manager’s job and she along with sound board operator Andrew McCraney were perfect in their co-ordination of the many sounds cues necessary. (Dede is constantly turning on the intercom to hear the action on the stage or talk with her stage manager or the lobby.)
This is an adult play with sexual references, and a whole lot of backbiting dialogue, but it also has a lot of humor. It is certainly one of the most intriguing plays I have seen this year, so don’t miss it. It also has the most unique prop of the year, yet another discovery you can make, since I sure won’t tell. Be sure to visit ABET’s very informative website (thanks to Robert and Judy Schnitzer) for more information and photos. www.abettheatre.com
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