NOTE: “Today” and “tonight” refer to Friday, April 8.
SEQUIM — When extended family moves in together under one roof, it’s a surefire bet that squabbling will commence.
But the dripping sarcasm and witty retorts aren’t always awkward and can be downright hilarious.
That is the case with “Squabbles,” which opens tonight at Olympic Theatre Arts, 414 N. Sequim Ave., says director Larry Harwood.
“Squabbles” is set to run through April 24.
“ ‘Squabbles’ is a great comedy that has a wonderful message about life and love as a senior citizen,” Harwood said.
The play is set in the 1980s.
It was written by Marshall Karp and pits a father-in-law against a mother-in-law in a comedic succession of squabbles.
Jerry Sloan, portrayed by Edwin Anderson, is a successful writer of advertising jingles and is married to Alice, an equally successful lawyer portrayed by Jennifer Horton.
Living with the happy couple is the not-so-happy Abe Dreyfus — portrayed by Peter Greene — Jerry’s curmudgeon of a father-in-law.
Abe is a funny guy to the audience, but not to Jerry, Harwood said.
The situation is exacerbated when Jerry’s mother, Mildred — portrayed by Kathy Marshall — loses her house in a fire and needs a place to stay.
Abe and Mildred can’t stand each other and waste no time in letting the vitriol fly on the wings of whimsical admonishment.
Feuding elders
The characters “are lovable and they are irascible and they are just constantly bickering,” Greene said during a recent rehearsal.
“It is verbal jousting, and it is a lot of fun,” Marshall added.
“Both of our characters have a sense of humor — they both have a lot of sarcasm — there is a lot of that dripping throughout and it is just fun,” she said.
“We are actually the same character,” Greene said. “We are both acerbic and wise-cracking . . .”
“. . . but I am classier,” Marshall said mockingly. “He has no class.”
The two actors share good chemistry on the stage, they said, adding this is their first time performing together in leading roles.
“This is our first show,” Marshall said, “but we are both seasoned” thespians.
When asked about the differences between “Squabbles” and past plays they have appeared in, Greene quipped, “I got the lead.”
And he joked, “There is not as much nudity in this one.”
“But there are some shenanigans,” Marshall added.
Offstage, the two say they get along splendidly, noting their rivalry onstage is just an act.
“The dynamic is written for us, and we are just following” the script, Greene said.
The human condition
Squabbling “is the human condition,” Greene said.
But, he added, “there’s hope.”
“Everybody squabbles, so if you come and see the progression here, you realize it is OK to squabble,” he said.
“It is how you exit the stage of life” that matters.
“If you are remembered with that squabbling attitude as an endearment, then you have been successful in your life instead of a crotchety old guy,” Greene said.
The social interactions explored by this play should be familiar to the baby boomer generation of retirees living in the area, Marshall said.
“They should get a kick out of it.”
Harwood agreed.
“Every person [older than] 60 should see this play,” he said.
“They will love it.”
That isn’t to say younger folks won’t enjoy it too, he added.
“ ‘Squabbles’ is probably the funniest play I have ever directed.”
Marshall encourages the public to come out and watch the play.
“I think it is just a great, fun experience to be a part of this — to enjoy the laughter,” she said.
“There are some touching moments — moments people are going to be able to relate with.”
Tickets
“If a person waits to buy a ticket until they hear how good it is, it will be too late,” Harwood said. “We will be sold out.”
The cast, Harwood added, is “outstanding,” so “don’t miss the show.”
Other cast members include Bud Davies as Hector, Monica Ostrom as Mrs. Fisher, Jim Coventry as Mr. Wasserman and Elaine Fredickson as Mrs. Wasserman.
Tickets for the show are $16 for adults, $14 for OTA members and active military, and $10 for youth.
Tickets are available online at www.olympictheatrearts.org or at the OTA box office at 414 N. Sequim Ave.
The office is open Mondays through Fridays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
New for this production, OTA is offering pre-show dinners Saturday evenings from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. by reservation only. Advance-sale dinner tickets are available at the OTA box office for Saturday night ticket holders.
The price for the dinner is $18 per seat and will include an entrée, side dish, salad and dessert served buffet-style in the gathering hall before the show.
A cash bar also will be available Saturdays up to showtime.
For more information, call 360-683-7326.
