If you love the comedy “It’s a Wonderful Life” this modern
variant by playwright Phil Olson is just for you. You see, Mom, who has been
dead nearly a year, has to accomplish a task to earn her wings. Her eldest
daughter, Kat, is estranged from Dad, blaming him for Mom’s death and
suspicious of his relationship with Mom’s former nurse. Mom shows up at Dad’s
birthday party hoping to reconcile them but, unfortunately, the only person who
can see or hear her is the angry Kat. Trying to get through to this gal, who is in a
court-ordered Anger Management Program, is not easy. Still, here is a mother
undaunted and, under her loving energy, Kat, Dad, Nurse, bratty Kid Sister and
the shy Boy Next Door all finally reconcile in loving harmony.
Julia
Silverman is delightfully warm and gracious as Mom; Gina Yates is a
troubled hellcat as Kat; Chris Winfield is touching as the grieving Dad; Lisa
McGee-Mann is ingenuous and sweet as Nurse Trish; Trisha Hershberger is amusing
and lively as kid-sister Brittney; Cyrus Alexander is
appealing as Kevin, the faithful boy next door, and an offstage Mystery Voice is
hilarious as their nutty neighbor, Mrs. Norquist.
Director
Sherry Netherland balances deftly between comedy and emotional truth so the
play is inspiring and never grim. Chris Winfield has designed a faultless
Minnesota home that is enhanced by Steve Shaw’s sound design, Sabrina Beattie’s
lighting and Lynda Pyka’s costumes. Produced by Laura Coker for The Group Rep.
At the Lonny Chapman Theatre, 10900 Burbank Blvd. North Hollywood, through January. For tickets: (818) 763-5990 or www.thegrouprep.com
Also
reviewed in the January issue of NOT BORN YESTERDAY.
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