Families. Aren't they special? It's the family of poor Mel - all of his siblings - who show up in his crummy New York apartment to help their brother when he is depressed. They talk a lot, they reminisce, they knit, they eat, or they shed a tear. But when it comes to donating money for Mel's psychiatrist - that's a different matter. So goes the fast-paced production from Peninsula Players in this dark comedy, Prisoner of Second Avenue, written by renowned playwright Neil Simon and first performed in 1971.
The show features a cast of Coast talent and is served up with the popular five-course dinner put on by Pebbles, a waterfront restaurant in Sechelt. It opens Thursday, Nov. 6.
Actor Todd Alain plays the difficult role of Mel, who is tired of living in his 14th floor, working-class apartment with the street noise and the smell of garbage. Not only that, he's lost his job and has been robbed. It's a downward spiral that worries Edna, his wife, performed by Mardell Vestad.
Mel becomes surly and bored; he's walked in the park so much he recognizes every squirrel. When he becomes paranoid, ("There's a plot going on!") Edna calls for help. Three sisters arrive: Marilyn Browning passes out coffee and clichés, Verna Chan, usually seen on Coast stages as a vocalist, provides a dose of common sense, and Michelle Saari snivels daintily. Only Mel's brother, played by acting newcomer Geordie Grafton, knows how to handle the situation - or so he thinks.
Direction is by Llewelyn Keates and Colleen Ander-son with stage management by Suzanne Pemberton. The play is not as light hearted as previous dinner theatre productions, but because the reliable hit-maker Neil Simon (Barefoot in the Park, The Odd Couple) is a master of clever dialogue and knows how to handle character development, it is completely engrossing. By the end of the play we wonder who is really crazy: Mel with his depression, Edna who has to cope with earning a living or the loudmouth upstairs who periodically dumps water on the couple.
The Pebbles dinner by chef Adam Braden features spring greens salad with house dressing, tequila lime prawns, a refreshing sorbet, beef tenderloin with assorted vegetables and a dessert of tiramisu with espresso fudge sauce.
Reservations are essential by calling Pebbles at 604-885-5811. The package costs the popular price of $39. Dinner is at 6:30, show at 8 p.m. Dinner theatre runs Nov. 6 to 8 and again Nov. 13 to 15; Saturdays are already booked solid.
