The talented troupe at Cow Patti Theatre Company is continuing a solid run of comedic ventures with their latest theatrical offering.
Running through to April 2 at the Tin Roof Event Centre, the production - which includes evening dinner theatres and matinee brunches - marks the western Canadian premiere of Norm Foster’s hit Doris and Ivy in the Home.
The story focuses on retired prison guard Doris Mooney (Deb Collins) who has just moved into the Paradise Village retirement home in Canmore.
Doris quickly befriends Ivy Hofbauer (Terri Cherniack), a former champion skier whose taken aback by Doris’s cheerful brashness.
Rounding out the trio is dapper Arthur Beech (Wally McKinnon) who has designs on Ivy.
Directed by AnnMarie Lea (artistic director of Cow Patti), the story is vintage Foster - which do tend to have a distinctly familiar feel.
But judging by the audience’s reaction to the love, gossip, and shenanigans unfolding onstage, he has hit the right notes with this particular play.
The most outstanding thing about this story - besides Lea’s very capable direction - is the powerhouse set of actors. First of all, they are perfectly cast.
Collins is perfect as Doris - overly blunt but witty with a striking sense of comic timing. This is an actor who really inhabits the role - and clearly is having a terrific time through the story’s twists and turns.
As Ivy, Cheriack also shines.
Like Collins, this is one funny actor - and the character she creates is a great foil to Doris. These two women really couldn’t be more different in how they look at everything from relationships to men to marriage - you name it. But they connect deeply, as they both do with Arthur - and it’s these remarkable friendships that really stand out.
McKinnon is also spot on as Arthur - a sophisticated man who is facing a very uncertain future but is totally honest about his feelings.
Lea is just a superb director.
She knows exactly how to bring the best out of her cast, and she’s a seasoned master at crafting a brisk, snappy production that doesn’t really stall for a minute.
For more about the season or to purchase tickets, visit www.cowpatti.com.