KISBEY - Guests who attended the Kisbey Theatre on March 1 and 2 were not disappointed with the hilarious mock wedding reception.
If it’s not one thing, it’s your Mother was the title of the play, which had two barely-functional families united in matrimony through many ups and downs.
Leslie Davidson, who played Elizabeth Murphy, a bride who targets the groom, Ed Ryan, played by Riley James, as her ticket to freedom from her overbearing mother.
Sarah, played by Janelle David, is the bride's little sister and maid of honour, and she is spreading her wings by announcing her move to Regina.
Actress and producer Amber Evans portrays Leslie and Sarah's widowed mother, and she plays on guilt and sympathy to keep her girls at home. Frank, played by Les Griffon, is Ryan’s 35-year-old brother and also the best man and MC.
They are not the most ambitious fellows and hope to continue living with their widower father, John, who was played by Charlotte Widdifield. The two brothers have lived with their father for free.
The brothers' plans are shattered when they learn their dad has sold the house and plans to marry a beautiful Nigerian princess that he met on the internet.
Patty Baumgartner plays a jack of all trades – DJ, server and photographer – who dances through scenes with her odd jokes, teasing tunes and clumsy service. As she loses her battle with Sarah for the bride's bouquet, she connects with hapless Frank to resolve his homelessness problem.
As the family reconciles before the last scene, the parents, alone at last, reveal to the audience that they have manipulated the entire evening for their adult children so they can elope to Florida and return to an empty nest.
Guests enjoyed a meal prepared by Weir’s Catering from Manor.
Darlene Olsen was the MC for the two performances, while Richard Krehbiel prompted the cast and Grant Bueckert managed the sound and lighting.
The play was written by Helen Escott and performed on sets built by Wytt Hall.
Both nights the group performed in front of a full house.
Bob and Donna White from Benson attended their first Kisbey Dinner Theatre, and they were impressed.
“We really enjoyed it,” said Donna. “The meal was really good, and the show was funny and done very well.”
“I think everyone enjoyed it,” she added.
A Sunday matinee was also scheduled, but due to the blizzard-like conditions it needed to be cancelled.
Those who purchased tickets for this show will receive a refund.
This is the fourth play that Evans has produced and she has plans in the works for 2025.
The proceeds from the theatre will go towards a scholarship fund and the Kisbey Silver Threads Club.
