What happens on prom night stays on prom night – unless you’re the ridiculous but endearing foursome holding true to drunken promises three decades later in “Always a Bridesmaid,” opening Thursday, Jan. 16 at Marathon Community Theatre.
More than 30 years past the night when they made the Chianti-fueled promise to see one another down the wedding aisle, the motherly Libby Ruth (Tiffany Moore), all-business Deedra (Joanne Zimmerman), self-absorbed Monette (Sharon Young) and tree-hugging Charlie (Dion Watson) find that in sickness and in health, the bonds of lifelong friendship may just outlast marital bliss – or lack thereof.
But to give each friend the sendoff she deserves at the Laurelton Oaks event venue, they’ll have to contend with anxiety attacks, fistfights at the altar, runaway brides and a poorly-timed release of white doves on the opening day of hunting season – all under the nose of axe-wielding hostess Sedalia (Marianne Benvenuti), hell-bent on getting each of her clients to the altar. Libby Ruth’s daughter Kari (Abbi Colella) serves as a narrator of sorts, introducing each of the show’s four scenes in the form of an off-the-rails wedding toast.
Starting a calendar year with one of director Jackie O’Neil’s ensemble female casts has become a sort of tradition for the Middle Keys playhouse. But for O’Neil, “Bridesmaid” is an experience she’s been waiting to share with the Marathon community ever since the pandemic.
Originally slated to bring the show to life in 2022, O’Neil instead took on the senior citizen comedy “Sunset Village” and its sequel in back-to-back years, both offered to MCT royalty-free to help with post-pandemic recovery as a kind gesture from playwright Michael Pressley Bobbitt.
Still, the desire to put “Bridesmaid” on stage never left, and after taking a “year off” from directing in 2024, she knew she was ready to put together the cast she affectionately refers to as her “bridal party.”
And while there are plenty of ridiculous moments to go around from beginning to end, it’s the more sentimental moments that O’Neil said drew her out of “retirement.”
“There’s more warmth to this one,” she said. “Usually I just pick a show, and if it’s funny enough I’ll do it. But in this one, these women can not see each other for ages and fall back into place like they’re kids again. I’m lucky enough to have a couple friends like that since college.”
“We laugh a lot, we pick at each other, and it seems very natural,” said Watson.
“We did the smart thing, and before rehearsal started the four of us went out and ‘wined’ a little,” said Zimmerman.
Supported by understudy Karen Shotwell, who’s been tasked with learning all six of the show’s roles should a bridesmaid need a backup, the cast and crew were entirely ready to go when the Weekly paid MCT a visit three days before opening night. As O’Neil confirmed, the actresses took it upon themselves to learn their lines cold, well before an all-volunteer cast typically would.
“That’s because it’s all women,” laughed Colella.
“Always a Bridesmaid” runs on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. from Jan. 16 to Feb. 8, with a 3 p.m. Sunday matinee on Jan. 26. Tickets are $33 including fees and are available at marathontheater.org or by calling 305-743-0994.
