“Father of the Bride”

*** We all know that “familiarity breeds contempt” , or so we have been told. Going to the theater to see a play that is based on a book ( that you may have read) that became a movie ( that you might have seen), makes it difficult to judge. There is no originality, for sure, or is there? I have always said that every time you enter a live theater, you will have a new experience. Each set designer ( Lauren M. Nichols has transformed the Drury Lane stage into a wonderful living/dining room) does there own thing and each director, with his or her cast of players, makes the magic come alive! In this case, Michael Heitzman has taken “Father of the Bride” , written by Caroline Francke, based on the novel by Edward Streeter and a few versions of the story on film, to a new level of entertainment.

Sure, there were audience members who found it different and perhaps felt that the film version was sharper, but I for one found this cast of players to bring the story to  level that was much more realistic. As a father ( who has been involved in several weddings as both parent and groom) I felt the feelings of Stanley Banks ( I must say that Joe Dempsey exceeded my expectations of his character_. He has always been an ensemble member, never the lead, but he sure makes this play move along with his powerful performance). Banks is “The Father of the Bride” , Kay ( played to perfection by Aurora Pennepacker).

The story is about a young couple and the simple wedding they wanted turning into a nightmare for the entire family. The rest of the Banks family, is composed of Mrs. Banks (Rachel Sullivan), brother Ben ( deftly handled by Kyle Ringley) and Tommy ( adorably played by Charlie Long). The “fiancée “Buckley Dunstan is played by Jake Dimaggio Lopez, and they all  work well with the ups and downs of the “happy event to be”.

The story allows for ups and downs on a regular basis. Will they run off and elope? Will they be able to invite everyone they desire? Can they keep the budget down? Can they cut people off the other’s list? While all of this is serious stuff, in this version, there are some funny scenes relating to all of the parts of making a wedding work. There are planners, and when they opt to have the reception at home, the caterer ( Ed Kross is a stitch in this role), and the crew of people who are there to make it all happen.: Jeannie Affelder, Braden Crothers, Archer Geye, Maya Loua Hlava, Michele Vazquez,  the adorable Abby Rose Merrill, Demitri Magas , and Mitchell J. Fain.

On the tech side of the performance there is some original music by Curtis Moore, costumes by Emily Rebholz, lighting by Dalton Hamilton, sound by Sarah Ramos, and props  by Cassy Schillo ( there were a great many props- wedding gifts, wow!)Most audience members do not react to the tech portion of a play, but when the gifts began to arrive, you could hear the snorts and giggles as they recalled either their own weddings or that of a child where the gifts kept coming and many were duplicates.

If you head over to Drury Lane Oakbrook, located at 100 Drury Lane, expecting the Steve Martin film, forget it. The live theater version is fun, entertaining, and mind opening. The “Father of the Bride” will continue thru May 31st with performances as follows:

Wednesday           1:30 p.m.

Thursday              1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Friday                    7 p.m.

Saturday              3 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Sunday                 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.

For tickets call 630-530-0111 or visit www.DruryLaneTheatre.com

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “Father of the Bride”.