RIPCORD – Written by David Lindsay-Abaire; Directed by Abby Apple Boes. Produced by Firehouse Theater Company (Presented at the John Hand Theater, 7653 East First Place, Denver) through June 29. Tickets available at 303-562-3232 or firehousetheater.com.
About twenty-five years ago, I took my grandson Joe to a production of FUDDY MEERS at Curious Theatre featuring Frank Oden and Katherine Grey. It wasn’t the first play that I had taken Joe to, but it was the first time I remember him laughing so hard, he nearly fell out of his seat. And saying with laugh tears in his eyes as we left, “That was really fun, Grandma. Can we see it again?” I’ve been a fan of David Lindsay-Abaire ever since. Having worked on productions of KIMBERLY AKIMBO, WONDER OF THE WORLD, SHREK, RABBIT HOLE, and GOOD PEOPLE and enjoyed other productions of RIPCORD, I’ve never been disappointed in Lindsay-Abaire’s gift for realistic dialogue, his ability to plumb the depths of human emotion (both light and dark), and his hope for a happy ending when none seems possible. So I greeted Firehouse’s current production with great anticipation.
What I could not have anticipated was the hand-in-glove fit of the two lead actresses, Darcy Kennedy and Colette Brown, into their respective roles. Darcy plays the cantankerous Abby Binder, alone and bitter who has alienated her son and pushed away all potential friends. Colette takes on the everlastingly cheerful character of Marylin Dunne, who has led a fulfilling and love-filled life leaving her with a joyful fun-loving attitude. While it’s obvious to the careful observer that these ladies could have easily changed roles and the show would have been just as funny, I’m glad they ended up the way they did.
Darcy’s grumpy Abby is funny beyond words. She is disappointed with her life but seems to look upon it as fate, not because of decisions she made herself. Her responses to the bet made between the two fighting for sole ownership of their shared room are mean-spirited and personally hurtful. When a third unseen but meaningful character enters Abby’s life and starts to thaw her heart, you can’t help but rejoice that there is still sunshine left in her soul.
Colette is indeed her match. Undyingly optimistic, convinced that everything can be fixed with kindness, Marylin never reveals her secret weapon – that she genuinely wants Abby to be happy. She doesn’t really care about the room; it’s just the fulcrum upon which their challenges balance. Her personal relationships with the staff, other residents and her family are her points of light. But she loves the challenge of bringing Abby back to life.
These two opposing warrior women are ably aided in this adventure by staff member Scotty, played by Jozeph Mykeals. He switches from companionable friendship to frustration with ease until he gets tired of the contest and Abby’s scorn. An amateur actor, he gets the last laugh when his acting skills are put to the test, and he passes. Marylin’s abetting family consists of her daughter Colleen (Shanae Adams) and son-in-law Derek (Jysten Atom) who become her partners in crime against Abby. They orchestrate some truly amazing scenarios designed to “scare” Abby that sometimes work better than they could have anticipated. Tho Abby will never admit to fear.
The cast is rounded out by Jaylin Wiese who plays minor roles until the last hour of the show when he takes on the pivotal part of Abby’s long-lost son. In a realistically touching scene, fences are (sort of) mended and (some) walls broken down. It’s a scene that calls for a delicate touch by both actors to illustrate both the hesitancy and the need. Both Darcy and Jaylin have the skill and heart to make the scene true.
The set also illustrates the differences between the two women. Marylin’s side has pictures on the walls, mementoes on the bookshelves, drawings by her grandson – the story of life being enjoyed. Abby’s side has bare walls, her books are her Kindle, her only decor are plants (that can’t talk back). Her watering can is a cute little elephant-shaped thing with water coming out of the trunk – certainly a gift. That’s nothing Abby would have ever bought for herself. The danger and adventure scenes are beautifully enhanced by the sound effects provided by Madison Kuebler and the light design of Emily Maddox. While the costumes are contemporary, they too reflect the differences between our protagonists in that Abby’s are casual and pretty colorless while Marylin’s have style and a touch of fashion.
Denver for the next few weeks has its own abbreviated version of THE GOLDEN GIRLS on steroids playing at Firehouse. Once again, Lindsay-Abraire and Firehouse teach that a gentle landing – even at an older age – is possible.
A WOW factor of 8.75!!