Romance, family conflict, overprotective mothers, slighted daughter-in-laws, bickering old women - this Greenwood Little Theatre production has it all.
Cast members took the stage Thursday night in "The Exact Center of the Universe," GLT's second production of the season. Led by Dr. Duane Hurt in his directorial debut, the play takes a hard look at the relationship between a mother and her grown son - his need to break away from the nest, her need to protect and defend him, and all the conflicts that ensue as a result of these lingering family matters.
The play opens in the delightful sitting room of Vada Love Powell, played by Rochie Lawes. She has invited Mary Ann Mele (Connie Black) to tea. What Vada's really hoping to accomplish is to give her future daughter-in-law a piece of her mind in hopes of scaring her off. Vada's son, Appleton (Phil Lawes) is engaged to be married to Mary Ann, but there are a few things Vada must clear the air of before she will allow her son to settle down with "another woman." Vada has raised her son singlehandedly since he was very young, and she is quite the domineering mother.
In the midst of the conversation, Vada receives a phone call from Appleton. He tells her he has just run off and married Mary Ann, and Vada becomes quite confused. She thought Mary Ann was the girl sitting in her living room.
After a confrontation with Mary Ann, Vada discovers she is not talking to Mary Ann at all. She has spent all her well-thought-out words on Mary Ann's twin sister, Mary Lou.
Mary Lou then proceeds to tell Vada that she was there to take the punishment she knew would be bestowed upon her sister by the pretentious Vada. She tells Vada of the Mele family background, which doesn't sit well with Vada at all. She discovers that her new daughter-in-law is not only Catholic, but Italian as well. Being a devout Southern Episcopalian, Vada is hurt and outraged at the betrayal by her son.
Later, Vada and her two dearest friends, Mary Bell (Linda Stokes) and Enid (Sandi Wheatley), gather for their weekly rendezvous in the treehouse in Enid's backyard. The girls meet there to play canasta and drink sherry. It is in the treehouse that many of their problems, memories and happy times are shared.
As Mary Bell and Enid wait for Vada to arrive, they talk of the scandal with Appleton. They know that Vada knows it's all over town, but they vow not to mention it to Vada unless she brings it up first.
When Vada arrives, the tension is clearly felt, and Mary Bell keeps eluding to the situation, while Enid tries to shush her.
Finally, Mary Bell can stand it no longer, and she spills the beans about the situation. She's dying to know how Vada is coping with the catastrophe, and the dialogue that emerges between the three old friends is quite hilarious. Stokes and Wheatley are quite brilliant in their portrayals as old women, including their exceptional ability with their movements and voices.
Mary Bell begins to take a defensive stand for Vada's new estranged daughter-in-law, and she finally admits to her long-time friends that she's Italian, too. She wants her friends to know that it doesn't matter what you are or what background you come from, there's good in everyone.
Mary Bell and Enid attempt to give Vada honest advice, but Vada tries to defend her son's honor, as much as it is killing her inside. She never wants to admit that she has lost her son to another woman, even to her best friends.
While the ladies try to sort out their problems, Appleton and Mary Ann show up at the treehouse, back from their honeymoon. Detecting a bit of hostility from Vada, Mary Bell tries to befriend Mary Ann, telling her she's Italian, too.
Losing her cool, Vada finally speaks her mind to Mary Ann and Appleton, releasing some pent-up emotions that have been building even before Mary Ann came along. Mary Ann tells Vada that she truly does love Appleton.
In Act 2, many years and two grandchildren later, Vada has gotten herself into another mess with her son and daughter-in-law by intervening in a personal and sensitive family matter.
Her granddaughters are being "exposed" to sex education at school, along with some help from their aunt Mary Lou, who is an anthropologist.
Mary Lou has just returned from a third-world country, where she has taken photographs of the natives, who are all completely naked. The girls take the photographs to school, thinking it will be an educational experience for their class to learn about other countries and their cultures. Of course, when Vada finds out, she is outraged. She undermines the parenting abilities of her daughter-in-law, and a rotten disagreement ensues.
Appleton intervenes, and the tenseness that has been building for years finally comes to a head.
Will Vada and Mary Ann finally agree? Will they finally decide it's okay to disagree? Will Appleton continue to let his mother run his life? Or will they all find a way to live happily ever after?
Philip andRochie Lawes are naturals on the stage, and, because they are son and mother in real life, they ease into their parts comfortably. Connie Black takes on two roles, and does quite well as she juggles the differences in character between Mary Ann and Mary Lou.
The cast takes the stage again tonight and tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m. A Sunday afternoon matinee will also be performed at 2 p.m.
This is a play that will make everyone take a hard, long look at their family relationships. It also provides a funny, touching look at the bond between longtime friends.
