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Being a mother-in-law has all the cachet of being a wicked stepmother in a fairy tale. No respect. Lots of jokes. So why not turn the experience into comedy?
That's exactly what happened when Rainbow Dinner Theatre held a contest to find a new holiday play. Winners Concetta and Marie Gerardi sent in "Peace, Love & My Mother-in-Law" and won a production of their play in 2000. Additions, subtractions and rewrites clearly went on, since Rainbow artistic director Cindy DiSavino now has a playwright's credit as well. And the show, currently in production at Rainbow, seems sharper — or maybe it's just that I wasn't a mother-in-law in 2000, and now I am, times four.
So, ouch to exchanges such as:
"Your mom's so funny!"
"Is that like daughter-in-law code for your mom's a dingbat?"
There's a lovely earth-tone, modern living room/kitchen set on stage, designed by DiSavino, who also plays the mother-in-law of the title. She's joined by Rainbow executive director and husband David DiSavino as the father-in-law. Dave proves that dads-in-law get to be jovial and funny and totally avoid the bum mom-in-law rap.
The kids in this show are newlyweds Jack (Craig A. Smith) and Crystal (Rainbow newcomer Julie Connors), who are celebrating their first Christmas as married people and trying to mix both families when all become snowbound together Christmas Eve.
Regulars Gerry Konjura and Casey Allyn play the groom-side in-laws, and Joe Winters is the laconic Snowplow Guy who almost gets the male side of the family arrested on Christmas Day. Rachel Blauberg returns to Rainbow as the police officer who turns out to have a connection to this mixed-up family.
There's a big Christmas tree, some stage snow and a few other holiday trimmings, plus a funny game of charades, a lot of practical jokes and a pillow fight that seems to prove a mother and her son-in-law might just turn out to be friends after all, if they give themselves a chance. It's quickly clear that director Scott Russell is at his best when working with physical comedy.
OK, it's hard to believe family members wouldn't try to be nicer to each other on Christmas morning or that such a new son-in-law would call his mother-in-law a "witch" to her face. But maybe all's fair in love and Christmas.
This newly merged family plows through to discover the tie that will bind them for the rest of their lives. New wife Crystal says early on that she's giving everybody the best gift ever. Three guesses as to what a young wife could announce that would be equally important to her spouse, her parents and her in-laws. The first two don't count.
"Peace, Love & My Mother-in-Law" runs through Dec. 29 at Rainbow Dinner Theatre, 3065 Lincoln Highway East. For tickets and showtimes, call 800-292-4301 or visit rainbowdinnertheatre.com .
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