Seated (left to right): Susan Schlesinger, Jill Ponce, and Ginger Henry; standing (left to right): Kyle Simmons, Anna McCauley, and Butter-Butt, the cat
Sun Lakes Community Theatre (SLCT) presented their fall production, Exit Laughing, on Nov. 6 through Nov. 10 in Cottonwood’s San Tan Ballroom. Audiences were continually laughing (and often howling) as the cast of four women and one man ably performed the comedy. The plot dealt with three women of a certain age and one woman’s daughter who are grieving the loss of the older women’s best friend. Their lives are upended in one evening as their bridge game is interrupted by a young man who gives them the wildest and most exciting night imaginable. They all learn to make the most out of life while they can.
Director Kate King Turner did an incredible job of presenting the universal themes of loss and friendship with both poignancy and hilarity. Susan Schlesinger shone brightly as Connie, a woman stuck in her home and her lonely life and who was brought back to life in that one eventful evening. Anna McCauley, as Connie’s daughter, did an amazing job portraying fury and self-absorption as she raged against the young man who stood her up. Jill Ponce was delightful as ditzy Millie, and she delivered some of the play’s wildest lines with aplomb.
Both Anna and Jill are newcomers to the stage, and both did a truly admirable job. Ginger Henry played the caustic lush Leona with masterful stage presence and comedic timing. Kyle Simmons portrayed Bobby, the young man who comes into all the women’s lives and shows them that life is to be lived with joy and laughter. Kyle did a masterful job with this revealing (in every sense of the word) role!
As one audience member stated, “I don’t think I have ever laughed and cried at a comedy-drama … It was that good!”
Kudos to the production team who were all very skillful in their various jobs: Nancy Patterson, assistant director; Maria Blanding, prompter and stage manager; Rick Strohl, house manager; Dave Patterson and Clark Turner, lights; Robyn Murray and MJ Clement, sound; Sue Stills, costumes; Marilyn Holt, makeup; Jack Mitchell, set design; and MJ Clement, graphic arts.