By Angela Hatcher
Westminster Community Playhouse has dusted the cobwebs off “Old Acquaintance” (originally a 1940s Bette Davis film), but you don’t have to be a classic film buff to enjoy WCP’s latest stage production.
While Old Acquaintance does indeed have an antiquated luster, it’s quick and clever dialogue puts the sparkle back in this timeless treasure that shows off stunning performances by Maria O’Connor as Mildred Watson-Drake (Millie) and Kimberly Wooldridge as Katherine Markham (Kit).
Under the sensitive and fine direction of Brandon Ferruccio, John Van Druten’s story about “Frenemies” (a term that Van Druten would have never heard) is about two strong women who have developed a deep sense of female bonding, and this is undeniably an ageless concept: Thelma and Louise, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, Oprah and Gayle…
However, this story goes a bit further and while it is about Millie and Kit’s mutual friendship, it is also about their extreme jealousies, their competitive nature, and their staunch rivalry both professionally and personally.
Kit is a serious writer with moderate success and Millie is a highly successful author of trashy love stories. Millie’s teenaged daughter, Deidre, prefers living in Kit’s Manhattan apartment than living with her own mother. And, then there is Rudd Kendall, the publisher and 10 year younger lover in Kit’s life.
It is easy to gain a sense of who these women are and why they need a good cry, a screaming match, a “one-up” moment, or a girl-to-girl talk that all strangely seems to survive their emotional support system, each other.
There are some surprising twists in the show that illustrate these feelings honestly and with passion, the true colors of Millie and Kit’s love/hate relationship. Ferruccio says, “…it (the play) was sad yet touching and it was a true discovery of why we stay close to people in our lives who sometimes bring out the best and worst of us.”
The supporting cast is excellent. Jeremy Krasovic who portrays Kit’s love interest is appealing, suave, and quite handsome, and he is also convincing as young Rudd. Grace O’Neill (Deidre Drake) plays up her youthful sensitive side but she also knows how to show off her character’s 19-year-old rebellious nature as well. Laurie Robbins plays Sabrina, Kit’s maid, and she is one fiery redhead that sashays in and out of her scenes with great abandonment and enthusiasm. Tamra Talbert is Millie’s maid, Susan, who is more subdued but still carries herself with confidence and control. Rick Werblin, who plays Millie’s ex, has a smaller role but he brings a rather dry wit to his part.
As long as there are people in the world, there will be friendships among them.
“I think we need old friends, or an old friend.”
For information on future plays, call 714-893-8626 or visit www.wcpstage.com.
Photos by Nabil Wire
“Old Acquaintance” runs through March 24 at Westminster Community Playhouse. Here is a scene from the play.
