BTG opens 88th on the road
by Christopher Key
When you’re 88 years old, you can be excused if you need a
bit of work. The Bellingham Theatre
Guild’s building is 114 years old and it’s getting a lot of work. Does anyone remember how long the BTG has
been talking about putting in an elevator?
I recently had the chance to talk to Monta Wagar, who has been around
the BTG since God was in short pants, and she guessed at least 40 years. Well, the dream is finally coming true, but
the building is in intensive care and the opening show of the 88th
season takes place on the road.
Yes, I know, you want read about the show, but I have to
explain why it’s taking place at Whatcom Community College’s Heiner Center
instead of the hallowed halls of H Street.
Good Lord willin’ and the crick don’t rise, the shiny new elevator and
the massive new foundation will be ready for the holiday show. Meanwhile, WCC was gracious enough to host
the opening show and most of the proceeds are going to support the work of the
YWCA. Which brings us to the subject of
women, which is what Love, Loss and What
I Wore is all about.
Given how elaborate a BTG show usually is, director Les
Campbell made a wise choice by presenting this show as an enhanced staged
reading. And the stage at the Heiner
Center is perfect for that kind of minimalist approach. The script, by two of the funniest women who
ever lived, Nora and Delia Ephron, also works well in this format. So you have five women sitting before mikes
for most of the show. But what women
they are!
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| Photo credit - David Cohn |
Deb Currier, Mish Criz, Kari Severns, Cary Thomas and Beth
Wallace could do a staged reading of Pilgrim’s Progress and make it both
fascinating and funny. When they take on
an Ephron script, they achieve escape velocity.
Not all actors are capable of doing a staged reading. You have your voice and your face and that’s
it. These actors all have fabulous
voices, but I was watching their eyes.
They know how to work it. Those
eyes can be innocent, flirtatious, salacious, mendacious, furious, weeping or
laughing. Or any combination of the
above. But they often speak louder than
the words and that’s consummate talent.
I don’t always agree with the play selection committee at
the BTG, but they did it right with this one.
A perfect choice to open the season, a perfect choice for a show that is
not in the usual place and a perfect showcase for some of Bellingham’s
best. They dish on everything from
training bras to tampons. The women in
the audience were howling and the men were laughing nervously. It’s OK, guys. This is not a feminist show, it’s a humanist
show. But it will make you squirm on
occasion and that’s what good theatre does.
A staged reading does not demand as much technical wizardry
as a full production, but WCC’s resident magician, Russ Nelson, deserves a bow
for the flawless sound and subtle lighting effects.
Love, Loss and What I
Wore plays through October 2 and there are no stairs to climb at Heiner. See the BTG website for precise dates and
time. While you’re there, you can score
tickets or you can call (360) 733-1811.
This show is festival seating and you’d better get after it because
opening night was sold out.
Listen to your Mother!
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