Those who get misty-eyed thinking about bellbottoms and music by the Carpenters, may find themselves drawn to Ivoryton Playhouse where Katie Forgette’s nostalgic 1970s-set comedy, Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, is currently entertaining theatergoers.
Incident would have been very comfortable as a light sit-com on the CBS schedule back in the day, but as a full-length play aiming for Neil Simon territory, the comedy isn’t much to recommend. Set in Mike and Josephine O’Shea’s modest suburban home, the memory play is narrated by daughter Linda (Autumn Eliza Sheffy) as she looks back at her coming-of-age in the strict Irish Catholic household. When her sex advice to younger sister, Becky (Maggie Hamel, whose speaking voice can peel paint!), somehow is overheard by Parish Pastor Father Lovett, a scandal ensues. Filling out the family dynamic is Aunt Terri (Rebecka Jones), estranged from her husband and at the forefront of the Women’s Liberation movement, and an obvious role model for Linda.
Forgette relies on plenty of stereotypes, like Mike’s offstage invalid mother, who bellows on cue while recurring gags about running toilets and the potato famine seemed endless. At my audience at least, the crowd was roaring its approval. I know critics aren’t supposed to review the audience, but I can’t deny this slight play will be enjoyable for many. I thought that Amber Quick, playing Linda’s resilient, practical mother, came off best, shading her character with nuance and grit. All the actors were mostly fine, though Rod Brogan, saddled with playing Mike, Father Lovett and the neighborhood gossip (in drag no less), may be overworked here.
Scenic designer Starlet Jacobs provides a nicely appointed period household with the required garish wallpaper, though Autum Casey’s unfocussed lighting needs to sharpen the monologue lights. Elizabeth Saylor’s costumes and wigs work quite well throughout. Director Jacqueline Hubbard clearly knows what her audience enjoys and delivers the play with heart and appropriate sentiment. I don’t know why, however, she allows dropped bags of groceries from act one to remain on the floor through the entire second act. Mother-in-Law O’Shea certainly wouldn’t approve.
Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help continues at the Ivoryton Playhouse, 103 Main Street, Ivoryton, Connecticut, through October 26. For further information or ticket reservations call the theatre box office at: 860.767.7318 or visit: www.ivorytonplayhouse.org.
Tom Holehan is one of the founders of the Connecticut Critics Circle, a frequent contributor to WPKN Radio’s “State of the Arts” program and the Stratford Crier and Artistic Director of Stratford’s Square One Theatre Company. He welcomes comments at: tholehan@yahoo.com. His reviews and other theatre information can be found on the Connecticut Critics Circle website: www.ctcritics.org.
