“Ripcord” at Carpenter Square’s Pleases Patrons
Mark Fairchild as Scotty and Lilli Bassett as Marilyn gang up on Linda McDonald as Abby over dinner
Carpenter Square begins the 34th season of excellent community theatre to Oklahoma City audiences with David Lindsay-Abaire’s recent play “Ripcord” premiering in 2015. The comedy is billed as a cross between ‘Odd Couple’ and ‘Golden Girls’ and follows the somewhat shallow surface of the best television situation comedies. Good comedy is based on tragic possibilities at the very least, and while the prominent appreciation of situation comedies on television rarely delved into the meaty aspects of tragedy, “Ripcord” certainly does.
Carpenter Square’s Artistic Director, Rhonda Clark has been doing a fabulous job of fulfilling the needs of the community, making Carpenter Square the epitome of quality community theatre. Sometimes a little edgy, sometimes a little melodramatic, the plays that Carpenter Square presents are excellent choices for their audience. Clark has her fingers on the pulse of her patrons, and her direction of “Ripcord” is an example of that connection.
“Ripcord” is set in a quality senior citizens home, populated with folks under the specter of the grim reaper, yet still yearning for life, love and happiness. One of them, Abby, is a cantankerous woman wishing for solitude and unwilling to develop friendships. Her personality calls for a private room, unlike her budget, so she has managed to drive every roommate away in the past four years occupying the best double room on the premises alone.
Her newest roommate is recently widowed Marilyn, her ebullience is very irritating, yet all of Abby’s attempts to make her request a transfer come to naught. Marilyn is not only scintillating, she is tenacious. She considers Abby to be a challenge rather than an obstacle. The two make a bet—if Abby can make Marilyn mad, she will ask for a transfer. But if Marilyn can scare Abby then Marilyn stays and Abby must give up the bed next to the window.
A trait both woman share is creative conniving and as they think of ways to win the bet, they manage to punch buttons that are very close to home. Everyone has a tragedy in their past and, while residents maintain the façade of a charmed life, these two reveal circumstances in each other that are not only distressing, but scandalous. They are not able to frighten or infuriate each other, but they do get a rise from Scotty, the young orderly who brings them their medication. Neither of them will stop at bringing children into the fray, ushering appearances from Marilyn’s daughter and son-in-law, Colleen and Derek as well as Abby’s estranged son, Benjamin.
Lilli Bassett as Marilyn (crouching) and
Linda McDonald as Abby(cringing)
Like the best sit-coms from the hey-day of television the situations are surface, but they do ultimately resolve with more substance than a half-hour of TV. In order to win the vituperous bet, each must face their past secrets and resolve life issues. Abby is quarrelsome, opprobrious and volatile, yet Marilyn never admits rage. Marilyn is animated, tempestuous and scornful yet Abby never realizes fear. Marilyn’s late husband was a sky-diving instructor, and the now these two are on a journey that is like falling from a plane and to pull the ripcord is to admit defeat. Marilyn is not too scrupulous to use this.
Abby is played skillfully with ingenious truculence by actress Linda McDonald. Marilyn is played cleverly with a vivacious lack of tact by Lilli Bassett. Although the script is quite witty, the best moments are often in the expressive reactions on the faces of these actresses as they realize the depths the other woman is capable of stooping below.
Mark Fairchild is Scotty, the long suffering nurse’s aide, and his character is played with a breathlessness that undermines his authority. Erica Tschida is Marilyn’s daughter Colleen and Matthew Moreillon is Colleen’s put-upon husband. The two of them are delightfully amusing as they assist in Marilyn’s schemes. Derek Kenney is Benjamin, Abby’s estranged and absent son, whose existence is her secret. Kenney’s performance is sensitive as he creates a moment of despair and realism that balances the spoofs from others. Additionally, Fairchild, Tschida, Moreillon and Kenney have other cameo roles that are incidental, yet vitally important as they release unexpected emotions adeptly.
Clark’s direction on a pretty set designed to accommodate unlikely locations is nicely done. Clark and Ben Hall collaborate on the set, and Clark also designs the sound and the costumes. Obviously a woman of many abilities, Clark puts her mark on every aspect of the production to create a few hours of escapism for an audience that is willing to pause and reflect as they appreciate the humor in the play.
“Ripcord” plays through September 30, 2017 at Carpenter Square Theatre, 800 W. Main in downtown Oklahoma City. For tickets and information visit www.carpentersquare.com or call 405-232-6500. “Ripcord” is a choice example of the quality found in community theatre at Carpenter Square.