Performance will make you laugh, cry and walk in the sun - The Daily News

Susan Donahue

One of my college theater professors used to give high praise by saying, "I laughed, I cried, I walked in the sun." Caroline Wood's direction of her own play "Sisters and Brothers, Husbands and Wives" provides ample opportunities for the audience to do all three. Warm, witty, biting and charming, this dinner theater production at the Rutherglen has it all: quality acting, intimacy and good eats. The siblings of Nessa and Byron are visiting for the weekend and Holly and Malcolm have a less than friendly past - they hate each other. Meanwhile, Nessa and Byron are struggling with the "moat" that has developed between them. There are tensions between brothers and Sisters, in-laws and spouses in this comic drama about relationships. Wood's script deftly blends humor and pathos in a realistic, yet at times lyrical, play. Audience members will see themselves in the characters: anal retentive Malcolm, work consumed Byron, fearful rebel Holly and stifled Nessa. The play's issues are easy to identify with as well: how do you maintain loving relationships with siblings and spouses as you grow, change and discover who you are without losing yourself? Can we (or should we) stay clean in a world of messes? Wood wants her audience to leave the theater thinking - about the issues, the performance, the own lives. The space is intimate. The actors are close enough to touch for those in front. The personal and moving subject matter matches the closeness of the space. The actors in this play perform as a tight company with energy and a strong sense of timing. Wood has paced the show well, with scenes of bust-a-gut laughter followed by deep character revelations, and the cast handles these changes with ease. The four Characters are very different and Wood has assembled performers who very capably handle those differences. Joey LeBard's portrayal of fussy Malcolm is impeccable. His neuroses and compulsions consume him and LeBard's expressive face and body telegraph his angst compellingly. Many times, Malcolm's insecurity is childlike and LeBard's wide-eyed, almost-in-tears facial expression made the audience laugh and empathize. Scenes with LeBard's Malcolm and Rebecca Wallis-Auger's character, Holly, were charged with energy. A scene where Holly physically intimidates Malcolm was arresting. The sensual, confident swagger of Wallis-Auger in contrast with LeBard's clumsy retreat had the audience in stitches. As Holly, Wallis-Auger moves quickly and easily between aggressive and vulnerable. The scene where Malcolm and Holly begin to break down the barriers between them was honest and emotional; both actors very capably showed the myriad emotions that were required throughout the play. Jamie Hegstad and Steve Thorpe as the married couple Nessa and Byron depicted the tension between the spouses splendidly. Both actors have expressive faces and we saw the flashes of anger, ftustrafion and disgust these characters felt. Their scene at the end of the play wan-ned my heart and made md'giggle. Both Thorpe and Hegstad show their Umisformed characters beautififfly. The set designed by actor Steve Thorpe entirely serves its purpose. It looks just like a deck on a beach house. Though the set is sn-wg the actors use the space successftwy inexperienced actors niot trip over themselves in such a tiny area this crew made it work Gotta mention the food. Executive chef Gary Borneman and the owner of the Rutherglen Ruben Grendal, deserve high praise for the delicious cuisine. Chocolate moussecake (dubbed "Double Naughty Moussecake" by Chef Gary), was scraped clean off of the plates.. The Rutherglen staff members were accommodating and efficient "Sisters and Brothers, Husbands and Wives" is delightful Go, and you'll leave discussing the outstanding ensemble acting, chuckling over favorite scenes, pondering relationships in your own life, or relishing the amazing meal you just devoured.