Community Players Opens
"The Cemetery Club," Thursday Night

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

Pit three "grieving," Jewish widows, Ida, Lucille, and Doris, against the world and add to the mix, a handsome widower and the competition of Mildred, and you have a delightful comedy! Join this with a deeper meaning of life that we all can relate to, and you have a memorable evening of enjoyment at the local Community Player's production of Ivan Mechell's, "The Cemetery Club!"

 

Linda Mabe portrays Ida, a Jewish widow who attempts to move on
with life, after the death of her spouse.

 

"Life is just one chapter after another, just
waiting to be written by you....."

 

The three widows meet for tea and their monthly visit to the local cemetery, where their husbands are buried. Each of the personalities of three widows surface, as the routine of constant visits and the introduction of Sam, the friendly butcher and an eligible widower, mount to test their longtime friendship. The "stakes become higher" when Sam turns the tables on the three, and brings Mildred to accompany them all to a wedding!

 

Beneath the cover of a comedy, theater goers are asked to answer a few questions of their own, as the real meanings of life, and the proper ways to deal with death of a loved one are examined through the lives of the characters. "Should life go own after your spouse dies, or should you cling to the great memories?" "Are you betraying the departed, if and when you decide to date someone else?" "If life didn't leave you with the best of a marriage, what is the proper way to deal with death and preserving the memory of your spouse?"

 

 

"Sealed to her late husband's cemetery plot," Doris, played by veteran actress,
Brenda Payne, attempts to reconcile her loss.

 

All of these questions and many others are examined during the approximately two hours of the production.

 

You will be astounded at the introduction of Ida, played by stage-newcomer, Linda Mabe, who masters a New York dialect to bring to the part, and the apropos placement of Sharlyn Parent, in her role as Lucille, who can offer her services at Murray-Orwosky Funeral Home or on-stage, equally well. Veteran actress and star of numerous local productions, Brenda Payne, joins as the third member of the Jewish trio. Russ Korth, a local veteran, enters the scene as handsome  widower, Sam, and Dixie McClain adds her own touch of interest as Mildred, the source of conflict!

 

 

And, fun loving widow, Lucille, played by "guess who?" offers her own take on the proper
way to grieve a departed husband.

 

This production is directed by a veteran director, with years of experience, Joseph McCorkle, to provide a delightful evening of entertainment.

 

 

Reservations for the six nights of production can be obtained by calling Main Street Theater, at (903)885-0107. And, reservations are recommended for adequate seating!

 

"I'm not going to remember you in this place.....
I'm going to remember you dancing and putting
chicken wings in your purse!"

 

 

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