By Barbara Zaferos
Waukesha Civic Theatre is currently staging a rollicking rendition of “Always a Bridesmaid,” full of froth, foibles and frantic fun.
At the heart of the comedy are four friends from high school days who have promised to be in each other’s weddings, whatever it takes. In the case of these women, time has changed many things, but their strong friendship and willingness to travail life’s obstacles, and often funny circumstances, to keep that vow remains constant.
Written by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope and Jamie Wooten, the hilarity plays out on a single set depicting the bridal parlor of the fictitious Laurelton Oaks wedding venue, somewhere in Virginia, run with precision by no-nonsense Sedalia, played effectively by Carly Irland. With a cool demeanor, she makes her character’s intention clear to preserve the place’s reputation of having never lost a bride, even when resorting to a few not-so-subtle tactics.
The audience gets to know the four friends as they show up for one such occasion – Monette’s third nuptial journey. The brassy, self-absorbed Monette takes the good-natured barbs from her friends in stride as she jumps headlong into a possibly ill-conceived marriage. Anne Thelke gives the role the sass and flirtatious quality it requires, while still showing occasional glimpses of the character’s uncertain, more human side.
Michele McCawley (Deedra), from left, Lesley Grider (Libby Ruth), Anne Thelke (Monette) and Amy Bates (Charlie), seated, propose a toast in Waukesha Civic Theatre’s “Always a Bridesmaid.”
Easy humor pops up through the entire play as the clock ticks down for the bride’s entrance at the next wedding, and the one to follow, and yet another.
Under the direction of Fabrice Conte-Williamson, the cast takes the light-hearted material and runs with it. Amy Bates breathes life to her role as Charlie – a rough-around-the-edges, let-it-all-hang-out type of gal who loves to gripe. She delivers her lines with great timing and plays up some of the funniest moments in the show with gusto.
In contrast, the role of sweet Libby Ruth exudes a sunny disposition, bringing friends together and insisting everything is going to work out.
Lesley Grider shines as the hopeless romantic and kind-hearted Libby Ruth who looks on the bright side even when the others are grousing about everything from relationships and men to aging and the weather.
The fourth friend Deedra, played by Michele McCawley, got the betrayal in a marriage and the upended new relationship storyline, which turned trauma into more chuckle-worthy wedding humor.
Kari (Amber Weissert) in a scene from Waukesha Civic Theatre’s “Always a Bridesmaid.”
Amber Weissert gives off buoyant energy as the young, spirited Southern belle Kari, whose intermittent dialog as a bride delivering the toast at her own wedding between scenes is played directly to the audience. Her connection with the four friends becomes clear in the end as the cycle continues.
I liked the quirks these actors created in their characterizations, which visually also carried the unique quality of each, thanks to some funny, unexpected costume choices from scene to scene.
Sisterhood lives in this handful of women – who will no doubt hold onto their friendship kicking, screaming and giggling into each new situation. In the end, the audience is pretty sure they will keep their relationships strong and tales of their rides on the marriage-go-round intact.
“Always a Bridesmaid” will be presented through Feb. 19 at Waukesha Civic Theatre, 24 W. Main St. in Waukesha.