In the foreground, Betty Kristan (as Mildred), at left, and Doug Bolduc (Abe), engage in verbal warfare while the Sloans (Nicole Marchand and Sean Gardell) do their best to cope. (Rich Dussault photo)
Hailing Stageloft Repertory Theater’s latest offering as “one of the funniest community theater productions in recent memory,”
Worcester Telegram & Gazette reviewer Paul Kolas bestowed a flawless four stars on “Squabbles,” which runs through Oct. 26.
In his home run of a directorial debut, veteran Stageloft actor Mark Bourdeau has created a “crowd-pleaser of a show,” said Kolas, “one that is perfectly cast from top to bottom.”
Click here to read the full review on telegram.com.
The argumentative antics are fueled by Doug Bolduc (as Abe Dryfus) and Betty Kristan (Mildred Sloan), who play the father and mother, respectively, of Connecticut homeowners Alice and Jerry Sloan.
As the wildly incompatible house guests in an increasingly cramped abode, Bolduc and Kristan “make anger an art form with every if-looks-can-kill gesture and snarling retort,” Kolas said.
Shining as the Sloans are Sean Gardell — “a nimble, panicked arbitrator,” according to Kolas — and Nicole Marchand, who brings “remarkable nuance and agility” to her half of the weary host couple.
Todd Darling (as Sol Wasserman) provides a “chummy, ethnic flavor” for the proceedings, while Michael Pray (as bladder-taxed gardener Hector Lopez) mines consistent laughs from his unfortunate ailment.
Not to be outdone, Governess Fisher, played by Taylor Plumley, handles her duties like “the poster child for the Third Reich,” added Kolas approvingly.
“Squabbles” is being staged at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays. For more details and to pre-order tickets, please visit the show page at this link.
