By Shannon Milliman
Making God Laugh punctuates with dynamic impact at Sandy Actors Theater, whose year-round reputations for high quality productions in Sandy, OR since 1976 does not disappoint. Making God Laugh by Sean Grennan’s world premier was staged at Peninsula Players, WI in 2011 and boasts 110 performances in its young lifespan. This show directed by Jonika Tabler is led with familiar love. By the end, I felt like this cast was family. The script is fresh and fun and brightens life perspective. Playwright Sean Grennan is also a lyricist, librettist, and actor. Scene by scene the audience can feel and sense this artistry in the cleverness of the text and in the nuance of the characters. If you like positivity, humor, living life fully, you will love the way the Sandy Actors Theatre brings this script to abundant life. Attending this performance gave me an unexpected clarity. Through the punchy dialogue, I felt lighter and more optimistic and more inclined to develop relationships with real life characters I might otherwise have avoided. The worth of quirky souls is great through Grennan’s creative lens. This show makes you laugh and right when you are comfortable, these well-developed souls bring you to a level of discomfort that makes you want to do something to change your own ragged edges and simply be more kind and more human, especially with your own family.
This play follows one atypical family over 30 years of holidays. The cultural references of eras bygone bring smiles, chuckles, and groans alike. This nutty Catholic family with plenty of heart and care for each other sometimes have funny ways of showing it. Sandy Actors Theatre, as a charming touch passed out “Fantasia dip” to the audience so we could experience for ourselves the family “dip of death” that mother Ruthie played by legend Francine Raften insisted made every family party memorable. The secret ingredient? Diet Velveeta. Infamously memorable. Don’t worry, the favorite son Thomas, played by Ray Klemmer, who has brought honor to the family name for becoming a priest, blesses the horror in a hilarious, orchestrated prayer of forgiveness. The antics never cease as the years go by.
Bill, the father and husband (Robert Madrigal), brings a comfortable, warm, steady energy to the family. Sometimes he is a doormat dad next to his dominating, spitfire wife (Raften) but when it really counts, all dad jokes are off and he brings genuine heart and love to the family when divisions seem unresolvable.
I am still giggling to myself when I think of the family photo; Ruthie stops everything to drape herself in a Mother Mary-esque black, shroud scarf. Raften owns this passionate character who works very hard to stifle her passion in the name of the holy trinity: church, mothering, and submission. She reminded me of my own mom, myself, and my grandmother in her customary muumuu all at once. Simply a divine, flawed, and lovable character.
The relationship that evolves with Ruthie and daughter, Maddie, played by Bethany Spanier, is real, funny, and believable. From Maddie’s fury at her mother bedazzling her perfectly faded jean vest in the 80’s to moments of earnest, wistful, and witty banter, these two have an unmatched synergy together. Spanier brings Maddie alive with grace, tenderness, and honesty despite the oppressing weight of a mother-daughter relationship that is far from perfect.
The rebel goof-off son, Richard (Griffin Kelly) who prefers “Rick”, but you know his family will never change that pattern and call him what he wants to be called. Kelly, though he plays a disappointment, is anything but. Kelly uses creative movement and voicing in his effortless expression and helped me believe more deeply that you can be yourself even when you are way different than the people around you. The over the top “manhood poem” he shared is ridiculous and lovable all at the same time. Kelly owns the role.
Klemmer’s Thomas acts as the family mediator and convinced me on a personal level that you still must try with family or other challenging interpersonal relationships even when you are not fully equipped to change things. Klemmer demonstrates a unique tenderness and sincerity in the way he interacts with each of his family members. He inspired me to make a phone call to my own sibling, one I have been putting off.
The production crew made me feel at home, caring about the details, gracefully making transitions easy. Stage Manager Diane Etter presented an organized and compassionate composition with people and props all in order. Details like the cross and Virgin Mary on the wall added to the reality. Costume designers Kim Kerr and Cheryl Rudarmel-Beam made perfect choices in apparel. From Rick’s, “trying to prove something” heavy, silver necklace to Maddie’s fashion forward outfits matching the wacky generations, costumes complement the dialogue and ambiance of the play. Jim Beam, Master Carpenter, built a sensible and homey set that allowed actors to be the focus and to move with grace and confidence. Lighting by JJ Dominguez helps make the quick aging of the actors as years go by realistic. The lighting choices are perfectly subtle. Christine Anderson, Sound Designer, never misses a beat. All focus is on the action and the heart and soul of the story.
You must see Making God Laugh. It is a definite audience pleaser. Someone behind me could not keep her joy in. I heard her say, “That is so true!” and another to my left exclaimed, “Oh, no!” I felt the same way. This is a relatable comedy that deals with the funny, and the real. It addresses the gray of humanity in a lighthearted way. This show and the electric, talented cast and crew lifted me. I am better for experiencing Sandy Actors Theatre’s rendition of Making God Laugh. I am more attuned to what matters in life and motivated by hard-working individuals who demonstrate a loving, collaborative spirit to create art that makes a difference. Your life longs for recharge and you will get it. This show is extraordinary for families, all ages. Making God Laugh, Sandy Actors Theatre, Sandy, OR is one you can’t miss.
Sandy Actors Theatre presents Making God Laugh by Sean Grennan.
Sandy Actors Theatre, 39181 Pioneer Blvd., Sandy, OR 97055
January 10- February 2, 2020. Friday-Saturday 7:30 PM, Sunday 3:00 PM
Tickets: $18 general admission, $15 seniors 60+, $13 child (12 and under)
Contact: 503-668-6834, willcall@sandyactorstheatre.org
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Making God Laugh Facebook Event
Sandy Actors Theatre Website
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