Okay, class, let’s revisit the definition of farce. Merriam-Webster describes the term as “a light dramatic composition marked by broadly satirical comedy and improbable plot.” Check. Playcrafters Barn Theatre’s current production, Girls’ Weekend ticks off all those boxes with astonishing energy. This is a lightning-fast, hilarious, clever, and thoroughly delightful farce by Des Moines, Iowa playwright, Karen Schaeffer, who was in attendance at Friday’s opening night and after which she held a brief Q&A where, in addition to other background, she shared that the genesis of this script grew out of her frustration over the lack of comedies available for “women of a certain age.” As a result she cranked out this script chock full of comic shenanigans in only two weeks.
Dramatic Publishing Company describes this gem as: “four women [who] travel to Dot’s Northwood’s cabin to consume copious amounts of wine, laugh at their lives, trade stories and chat about their book club’s latest selection. However, after the third case of wine comes through the door, it becomes clear there will be more stewing than reviewing.”
This script is so richly dense with comic high jinx that it is difficult to briefly summarize the plot. Let me just say that it takes place in a remote Minnesota cabin where three women gather at Dot’s invitation to join her for a girls’ weekend. There’s Meg, Dot’s bestie, who is secretly dating Dot’s son, Stephen. There’s Carol who, with husband Rick, has long been trying to get pregnant, and Meg’s daughter, Ellie, a saucy coquette and a “girl who just can’t say no” to her current paramour, Bubba. Mix in wine, weed, Ambien, and scrambled clandestine trysts and you’ve got the makings of a hysterical show that will have you rolling in the aisles. Oh, and it doesn’t hurt to have the local sheriff drop by as well.
Director Jacque Cohoon has assembled a highly talented and diverse cast that shatters stereotypes of what may demolish our preconceptions of what romantic relationships should look like thus demonstrating Playcrafters’ continuing commitment for inclusion in its productions.
Heading up the cast as Dot is Quad City theatre veteran Pam Cantrell who pulls out all the stops for her slapstick performance. Isabella Holmes makes a stellar Playcrafters debut as Meg; in the role of Dot’s son, Stephen, is Jaren Schoustra who delivers a Puck-ish vibe to the action; hot-to-procreate Carol and Rick are portrayed by Tabitha Oles and Tim Burrow; and as the libertine couple Ellie and Bubba are Storm Marie Baca and Esteban Lopez. Rounding out the cast and also making his Playcrafters debut as the Sheriff is Bradley Franks. The most formidable critic in the house – the playwright herself – gave them two thumbs up.
I also have to give a titanic shout-out to Set Designer, Jaina Gliver, and Set Builder, Craig Cohoon, for an elaborate and very impressive set that provides plenty of doors to slam to accommodate the zany action.
Girls’ Weekend continues at Playcrafters Barn Theatre, 4950 35th Avenue in Moline, Friday and Saturday, May 9 and 10 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 11 at 3:00 p.m.
I’m Chris Hicks…break a leg.