ORANGEVILLE — The Mighty Richland Players have started their 20th anniversary season off with a bang by being one of the theaters chosen to world-premiere the award-winning Phil Olson play, The Birthday Club. Having been involved with Olson in the reading and editing of the play, the theater was then chosen to premiere the show, and is the only theater doing an on-stage performance with a live audience and not live-streaming.
“I don’t know how Phil writes women so well,” said director Kim McIver. “But this play will resonate with all women in one way or the other.”
The play centers around a group of women who gather together at Cheryl’s house several times a year to celebrate each other’s birthdays. When one of the members dies, the group has an opening, and Cheryl’s co-worker, Sarah, is brought in to see if she’s a good fit for the club. However, Sarah, played by Keisha Leehan, is Heemish, which is a somewhat backward approach to living life that the rest of the girls can’t wrap their head around. No sex, no swearing, and definitely no drinking, is Sarah’s way of life — the complete opposite of what this club is all about.
The rest of the cast of characters is just as colorful. Abbie, played by Paula Fulton, is a woman who’s been taken care of all her life. She lives in a big house with pocket doors, and lives the good life — until her husband leaves her for a very young nurse. Kathy, played by Amy Jo Beightol, is a police officer with a hard shell. Pregnant for the fourth time, Kathy’s ready quips with a drink in her hand, help keep her feelings for her family at bay. Cheryl is a no-nonsense business woman and Sarah’s boss. Her husband is a writer who has been working on a book for five years. Considering him a slacker, she is not surprised when they decide to separate. Emily is a woman who is always chasing a man. She doesn’t have a hard time catching them, either. She does have a hard time making herself happy, though.
While the play can be reflective as each woman looks over their lives, the show is filled with funny one-liners, and a peek into what might really happen when women gather together for some fun. It is an adult show, with adult themes not meant for young children.
The Birthday Club opens at 7 p.m. Friday, April 23. It will run at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. on Sunday. The following weekend of performances will be April 30 to May 2.
MRP’s apple cider will be available, as well as a dessert which is included in the ticket price. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, limited seating is available. Call 815-810-1310 to reserve a seat. For more information, check out MRPDT’s website at mightyrichlandplayers.org.
