City Thater – BIDDEFORD GAZETTE

A delightful mashup of Steel Magnolias charm and Golden Girls sass.

[Contributed Story]

City Theater’s spring play, The Cemetery Club, is a romantic comedy by Ivan Menchell, where sharp wit meets soft hearts, and where the conversations you will have—and the ones you definitely already have had—with your closest, friends take center stage.

The Cemetery Club runs May 8 to 24. It is a delightful mashup of Steel Magnolias charm and Golden Girls sass, with just enough mischief to keep things interesting.

The Cemetery Club first opened on Broadway in May 1990. In 1993, it was adapted into a movie starring Olympia Dukakis, Ellen Burstyn, Diane Ladd and Danny Aiello.

Three recent widows meet once a month to visit their late husband’s graves. They reminisce, they bicker, they confess, they laugh… sometimes all in the same breath. It’s about love that lingers, grief that softens, and the kind of friendship that only gets richer (and funnier) with time.

Pull up a chair. Bring your sense of humor. And maybe a tissue—just in case. Because growing older is inevitable… but growing dull? Absolutely not.

The amazing performers who are bringing The Cemetery Club to life include City Theater favorites Rebecca Cole as Ida and Jennine Cannizzo as Lucille. Making their City Theater debuts are Tess Murphy as Doris, Greg Athans as Sam, and Dana Howe as Mildred.

The creative team for City Theater’s production for The Cemetery Club includes Linda Sturdivant (Producer/ Director); Curran Grant (Assistant Director); Karl Carrigan (Scenic Design), Janice Toomey (Costume Design); Florence Cooley (Lighting Design); Jessica Chaples-Graffam (Scenic Painting); Peter Salsbury (Props and Set Decoration); Arcadia Recording (Sound Design), Greg Brackett (Stage Manager); Adam Gallant (Sound Board Op) and Victoria Stackpole (Light Board Op).

A huge round of applause for our season underwriters, Pizza By Alex and Mobil Studio Designs, and our season sponsors, Banded Brewing, Jim Godbout Plumbing and Heating, Pension Professionals and Rapid Ray’s.

The Cemetery Club show sponsors are Saco Biddeford Savings, Batson River Bamboo; Wonton, and the Old Orchard Beach Chamber of Commerce.

The Cemetery Club runs May 8 to May 24, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2 p.m. There is no performance on Sunday, May 10. T

Tickets are $30 and $35 (all fees included) and are available at citytheater.org or by phone 207-282-0849.