The Dexter Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Family 'Squabbles' won't spoil the appetite
By Ty Jacobs, Guest Writer
PUBLISHED: February 21, 2008
What would you do if your 72-year-old relative living with you sprints to answer the telephone every time it rings and sings a local radio station jingle in hopes of winning a huge cash prize instead of answering "hello?"
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After a couple of weeks of this you would probably begin to get a little more than annoyed. Then what would you do if on top of that your spouse has a relative of the same age group, but opposite gender, suddenly in need of a place to stay for a while and decides to crash at your place? But really what would you do if these two elderly relatives absolutely clash after first sight and your hours, days, and weeks are filled with bickering, shouting, complaining, and a winter blackout to stir it all up? You would probably be participating in the wonderful tried and true experience of family 'squabbles.'
Chelsea Area Players Dinner Theater is bringing another comical production to entertain audiences on March 6, 7 and 8 to the Chelsea Community Hospital dining room. "Squabbles" is a hilarious play that will make you laugh and ponder the relative moments perhaps in your own life that had begun in quarrels among family members, but ended with a heart-warming situation where people discover that each other really aren't all that bad. Of course, you, the theater goer are privy to seeing this upon the stage after enjoying a rather gourmet treat of Chicken Cordon Bleu, or a pasta Alfredo should you choose that option!
"Squabbles" was written by New York playwright Marshall Karp in 1982 and a quarter of a century later it is being performed regularly all across the country and around the world. Karp has had a history of amusing anecdotes and life experiences to draw from and his work has been to Hollywood, the television, and back to the stage many times over. In choosing a suitable play for their dinner theater, Chelsea Area Players usually try to bring something new to the area that audiences may have heard of but not gotten a chance to see before.
"I was attracted to the play because of the link to Seniors," says Vicky Wurster, the artistic director of the play. "Abe, the retired cab driver is very funny, and the storyline hits on life after you retire!"
The story is about Jerry Sloan, who is a successful advertising jingle writer, and married to Alice, a successful attorney. They live in a small apartment but invite Alice's father, Abe, to live with them after he retires from being a wise-cracking cab driver in the big city.
Then, Jerry's mother, Mildred, loses her house in a fire and just instantly moves in with them. Right away, it is painfully obvious Abe and Mildred can't stand each other, plus, add to that, Alice finds out she is pregnant. From this point on, the play is one laughter inducing confrontation after another.
There is a surprise or two before the story gets resolved, but knowing any more would spoil the fun filled evening of dinner theater you are about to attend!
The cast includes Chelsea residents June Weiland as Mildred, and Clara Smith, also the show's producer, as Mrs. Fisher, the couples' governess. Chelsea elementary teacher and Dexter resident Tomi Dres is Alice, and playing Jerry is Ann Arborite Brent Lofgren. Playing Abe's friend Sol is Stockbridge local Dave Avery, and playing the handyman is William Cole of Manchester. Rounding out the cast, and returning to the Chelsea Area Players stage after a decade is Ric Foytik, also of Chelsea and last seen as Titus in CAP's dinner theater production of "The Curious Savage." Vicky Wurster returns as Artistic Director and her list of directing credits is impressive, including "Godspell," "Father Of The Bride," and "Love, Sex, and the IRS." Wurster also regularly produces and directs charity events to benefit the Chelsea Senior Center at the Comfort Inn Conference Center, and the next musical variety event will be this coming August.
"Squabbles" promises to provide an evening of good food, good company, and a lot of laughs. Tickets are $30 and available at Chelsea Pharmacy or by calling 734-475-8713. Chicken Cordon Bleu will be served unless one calls the number above and mentions they would prefer pasta Alfredo. Dinner is at 6:30 p.m. with the show following. Thursday, March 6 through Saturday, March 8 at the Chelsea Community Hospital dining room, accessible through the main entrance.
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