Prepare yourselves for art! That’s the nearly naked — pardon me! — nearly nude truth about “Calendar Girls,” the Stage Hands’ newest production. Masters of the dinner show format, they’ve again hit it out of the park.
The play begins with a meeting of the WI, a group of mature women tasked with a yearly fundraising project. The women — played by Cindi Reeve (inimitable), Rae Ann Houx (vulnerable and courageous), Eileen Bennett (brash as a Harley), Barbara Pekema (who literally takes the cake!), Mindy Hunt (with a French connection) and Rebecca Hand (stalwart to the end) — are directed to compile a calendar of local bridges by their putative leader, Brenda Scettrini-Saglio. These six ladies rebel against stultifying protocol, mindless convention and mundane boredom by coming up with a project of their own: a calendar featuring themselves, a semi-nude calendar!
Needless to say, the climactic calendar photo shoot is a scene not to be missed!
Two husbands support the ladies’ project. Frank Girard plays Raye Ann’s spouse, John Clark, and gives a superlative performance. In less than an act, he takes the audience through his character’s enormous arc of emotions, seamlessly and truthfully. Steven Howard plays Barbara’s husband, Rod Harper, a comic character to whom he adds verisimilitude.
Able supporting actors — Cathie Fazier, Vickie Luke, Lochlan Drinkwine, Brittany Beard and Andrew Neiderbrach — provide problems, frustrations and comic opportunities for the “Calendar Girls.”
This is a multi-faceted production, not just a romping farce. Comedy there is, but Director Jeff Hinderscheid’s design enhanced his actors’ ability to transition a wide range of emotions. I especially appreciated the striking tableaux he arranged at the play’s most dramatic moments. The production crew, too, deserves great credit for their work.
May I mention that the Off Broadway Theater is a welcoming space, perfect for a dinner show? Barbara and John Pekema have done the town a great service by creating it.
Rosa Pacheco caters for this show and offers a toothsome supper of tender pork loin, potatoes gratinee and salad, followed by a tempting dessert table. Audience members may enjoy drinks from a no-host bar.
Lastly, I assure you it is a special treat to watch these Stage Hands women, an unequaled ensemble of actors, bring “Calendar Girls” to life.
Catch performances on Friday, Jan. 16, or Saturday, Jan. 17. Doors at the Off Broadway Theater (740 S. First St., King City) open at 5:30 p.m. Supper is served at 6 p.m. and the show commences at 7 p.m. If you wish to skip dinner and only see the show, arrive at 6:45 p.m. or so. You may call ahead for tickets — 831-210-4903.
Content warning: There were NO wardrobe malfunctions — yet.
