Paradise Players Fall Fantasies
If you missed the latest production by the Paradise Players in October, you missed stellar performances by the 21 talented members who took their roles to the max!
The opening play, “The Naked Man on the Couch,” was somewhat of a shocker even though no nudity was involved. The story involved “Brad,” convincingly played by Joe Spinelli, passed-out on the couch in the home of three ladies who were about to pack up the car and drive to Las Vegas for the weekend. He was somewhat covered by a blanket, but you were kept in suspense wondering if the blanket was going to fall off anytime soon.
How he got there was revealed to Mildred, a no-nonsense lady superbly played by Marie Smith, joined by a shy and nervous Harriett, coyly played by Ann Waldman. Fun-loving Sophie, portrayed by Donna Hyatt, discovers the man on the couch. She immediately names him Nature Boy. The appearance of a gun convinces Nature Boy to leave — which he does by agreeing to drive them to Las Vegas.
“The Edge of Forever” is a touching story about a couple nearing their 50th wedding anniversary with some early memories giving way to not-so-memorable present happenings. Ted Terrill artfully portrayed Emory Joe-Dell Smith, lovingly called Bud by his wife, Lois Iona Smith, whom he affectionately calls Lo, who was a perfect study by Darline Baker. The two of them sipping their morning coffee and becoming caught up in their first meeting at the five-and-dime during the war catches them at the edge of forever.
“Clyde, Is That You?” brought us the egotistic Clyde smoothly played by Tom DiGiorgio. He phones his buddy and tells him there is a Red Hat Ladies Convention at the hotel and he is sure there will be no end of “hot” dates for them. But his smooth talk is cut short when his ex-wives show up on the scene. Pat Williams, his first ex, proceeds to uncover his “loser” husband traits. Next, Georgia DeBarr arrives and unveils her short-wedded attachment to Clyde. They gang up on him. He is nonplussed but tries to smooth over their disdain by asking them to join him for dinner so they can observe the “new” Clyde. The gavel drops on Clyde when a third ex — the one he said had died — appears on the scene. See Clyde squirm.
“Love Conquers the Wild West” brought on Marshal Barlow — Jerry Martin; his deputy daughter Tammy— Sueva Terry; troublemaker — Vic Esposito; Ladies — Nancy Pastori and Sandy Esposito; Miss Fontaine/Daisy — Ann Bonar; Christopher Smith/Baron Longhorn — Bill Rawlinson; Cowboys — Ed Williams and Hank Grill; Barkeep — Bob McCoy and his barista, Bunny Cox, who advertised “other entertainment.” Dan Child and Ray Arnold superbly narrated the story. The play is a melodrama, so overacting was encouraged. “Shooting” their guns, “riding” their horses, and “striding” in their cowboy boots across the stage made for lots of laughs.
