By Carol Schreiber
Review Staff Writer
“Ida, Doris and Lucille are Jewish widows who visit their husband’s graves faithfully every month. They share with their husbands the news of the neighborhood, and try to make it an event both to honor them and remember them.”
This is the beginning of the synopsis of “The Cemetery Club,” a play to be presented by Grassroots Community Theater on July 12, 13 and 14. Grassroots is a volunteer organization that puts on plays at various locations in the Worthington area. This year’s performances will be at the Minnesota wet Fine Arts Theater.
“These Jewish widows are funny, and very human,” explains Director Mary Jane Mardesen. “This is a piece of theatre that will entertain, but also move you to think and feel.”
As the story synopsis continues, “two of the three women are beginning to realize that they are having one-sided conversations and that trying to keep their husbands alive is not giving them very interesting lives. They want to move on and perhaps get back into the dating social scene again. Of course, the third widow is very happy continuing the practice of the visits and is appalled at the other two.”
As the play continues, a gentleman enters the picture, a budding romance undergoes a squashing and feelings are definitely hurt. “There are some very tender moments, but some rip roaring hilarious ones too. Grassroots did this play in 2004 and we have two of the five original cast members back with us,” explained Mardesen.
Cast members are: Jeri Sirovy, as Ida; Denise Deitchman as Doris; Marlene Jueneman as Lucille; Sandy Ahlberg as Mildred and John Widboom as Sam. Sirovy is from Jackson, Deitchman is from Lakefield and the remaining cast members are from Worthington. Jueneman and Widboom were original cast members in the play when it was performed in 2004.
“We are fortunate to be presenting this play on our original stage, too,” Mardesen added. “If you saw this in 2004, we hope you will return. If this is a new play for you, please join us for an enjoyable time.”
Sirovy pointed out that the play “deals with very serious issues such as the loss of a spouse and learning to go on with life. Although not a ‘comedy,’ it’s so funny — it’s the things best friends say to each other, when they’re not in front of others.”
Sirovy and Deitchman were part of the last Grassroots Theater performance, “Til Beth Do Us Part.” While taking part in another play in Windom, they were asked to be part of “The Cemetery Club” by Mardesen. “We were both very excited and very anxious to work with Mary Jane again,” Sirovy added. “She is fabulous. She has so much experience and knows how to guide you, yet gives you leeway to be creative in developing your character. She makes it all fun!”
“This play is so well written,” Sirovy added, looking forward to the performances. “Please join us and see why we love this script,” Mardesen exclaimed. “The Boston Globe’s review said this play was ‘funny, sweet tempered, moving.’ We call it a great evening of theatre.”
“If nothing else, come to see the bridesmaids’ dresses, the cha cha done while drunk and dressed in those same dresses, and the very tentative love scenes, and much, much more,” Mardesen added
Assisting with hair make-up and costume changes for “The Cemetery Club” is Amy Stefferud, Reading.
Advance tickets are available from any cast member or at Hy-Vee Food Store in Worthington. Tickets are $12 per seat. For advance ticket reservations, you may call Mardesen at 507-478-4474, and leave a message.
“The Cemetery Club” will be presented on July 12, 13 and 14, at 7:30 p.m. at the Fine Arts Theater at Minnesota West Technical College, 1450 College Way, Worthington, MN 56187.
“The Cemetery Club” was written by Ivan Menchell, produced with permission from Samuel French.
