St. Albert Dinner Theatre is hosting its second show of the season, Nana's Naughty Knickers, at the Kinsmen Event Centre in Riel Park running from Feb. 1-17. And it's a show filled to the brim with laughs.
“This is the kind of comedy that is just a bunch of funny things that happen really, really quickly that are fun to watch and fun to laugh at,” director Rob Beeston said. “So, very much like watching a sitcom on TV.”
Nana’s Naughty Knickers, written by Katherine DiSavino, takes place in New York City, where Bridget, a young law student, goes to stay with her Nana Sylvia for the summer. Bridget and her Nana have a close relationship, and are excited to live with each other. But as time passes, Bridget learns that her Nana runs an illegal business selling lingerie to 60-plus individuals in her apartment.
“[The show] is kind of this journey of discovery that they both have to go through,” Beeston said. “Nana’s into some pretty interesting stuff, and her granddaughter was just not ready for that. And it’s pretty funny to watch.”
Beeston said because of Bridget’s discovery, characters come onstage one by one to give the audience a laugh and fun surprises.
“Comedy, for a lot of people, is an escape, right? You get to step away from the serious things that happen in our world, and you get to come to a place like that,” Beeston said. “You get a good meal in, sit down, have a drink, and watch some people do silly things up onstage.”
New theatre member Hannah Moerman plays the level-headed Bridget, alongside Carolyn McGratton, who plays her sharp and astute grandmother.
The cast is filled with many goofy and witty characters like Sylvia’s best friend Vera, played by actor veteran Myrna Ferris; the neighbourhood cop and Bridget's potential love interest Tom, played by new theatre member Roderick Barrett; an irritable landlord played by veteran actor Tim Kubasek; Nana’s business competitor Heather played by Kristy Baron; and Claire, played by Laurie Borle who has a secret role in the show.
Beeston said rehearsals have gone “really well” and, while the show contains some scenes with little dialogue, the characters' actions will make the audience chuckle or even belly laugh.
"It's kind of like when you were a kid, and you started watching sitcoms on TV for the first time," he said. "That's the kind of mood that we're trying to achieve here. So, it's a great cast; everyone's really ready to go.”
The director said Nana’s Naughty Knickers is for everybody, whether you're an adult, a grandparent, or a grandchild. Beeston hopes to show a set that no one has seen before in community theatre, and for the audience to leave their seats feeling good about their family relationships. He also hopes to encourage them to keep an open mind about the "things that people do in their private lives and things that people do for work and for their business."
“We’re here to see something enjoyable," he said. "There are tons of good reasons to experience other valid emotions in theatre. This is just what we’re doing.”
Tickets are selling quickly but still available online at stalberttheatre.com for $65.
