A Splendidly Sordid Evening at Haddonfield Plays & Players

by April Johnson

As I walk in the vestibule of Haddonfield Plays and Players, I am greeted with the smell of popcorn infused with the pure vocal stylings of Sarah Lottes, who appears as Bitsy Mae Harling, with a guitar to accompany. Evan Harris serves as Bud, Bitsy’s entertaining hype man and sidekick. In addition, I am viewing a few familiar beloved faces who have appeared in the Broadway hit, “Sordid Lives”, such as the late Olivia Newton-John and Leslie Jordan along with other pieces of memorandum and nostalgia as if I were in a museum. I am escorted to the front to view the newly renovated stage with a montage of Southern life, a comfy home setting with the Texas flag serving as a permanently painted area rug.

“This is the 27th therapist I have been to,” serves as an interesting segue into this story. “Sordid Lives”, written by Del Shores and directed by Bill Fikaris, depicts the lives of those who have gathered to bid their last farewell to the matriarch, Peggy; after a tragic and unexpected accident of tripping over her illicit lover’s wooden legs, hitting her head on the sink, and bleeding to death while at a seedy rendezvous. As a result, the affected family, among others, comes to question how a god-fearing Christian woman ended up in a situation like this. As this mystery unfolds, we find that some views have been challenged and true matters of the heart have been unearthed. Fikaris takes a bold, hilarious, and thoughtful approach to a story about a dysfunctional family that can trigger feelings yet cause true introspection.

Ty Williamson, played by Ken Hellings, serves as the narrator, and introduces us to his family during his therapy sessions to open about his upbringing. An actor who moved from his hometown, Winters, Texas to New York City to pursue his dreams and cover his sexuality; gave us a sensitive, expressive, intimate, and yet funny perspective to the problematic life he left behind.

We start with Sissy, portrayed by Phyllis Josephson, the younger sister of the matriarch, who is trying to kick a habit which could possibly give her the most comfort during this time of loss. At the most stressful moments, her pain becomes our means of laughter. Phyllis presented a funny and familial account of that burdened aunt who has the open home policy yet has the closed-door theory of “what happens here, stays here”.

Tami Gordon-Funkhouser gives us an amusing Tammy Faye Bakker/Delta Burke appeal to Latrelle Williamson, the self-proclaimed good daughter of Peggy. She upholds herself in class and is in complete denial about her son’s sexuality; much afraid that Ty will become a case like her brother, Earl, affectionately called Brother Boy.

Kristine Bonaventura shines as the “bad girl” of the family, Lavonda Dupree, teamed up with Amanda Frederick as Noleta Nethercott, Lavonda’s best friend and wife of the philanderer G.W. in a hysterical Thelma and Louise bit that brings the audience to their knees in laughter. G.W., entertainingly depicted by Anthony Appel, hobbles us to agony, angst, and a bit of sympathy for losing the love of his life, Peggy, due to the oversight of his two wooden legs. The comedic team of Stephen Kreal and Jared Camacho as brothers Wardell “Bubba” and Odell Owens are sure to give you tons of laughs and morsels of lessons.

Edwin Ortiz, gives a captivating and provocative performance as Earl “Brother Boy” Ingram, who was institutionalized for his misunderstood lifestyle. The only way for him to leave the hospital is for him to repudiate his means of living. If Tammy Wynette were still alive, she’d better watch out for Brother Boy because he would be “coming” for her career! However, his hypersexual psychiatrist, Dr. Eve Bolinger, luminously performed by Amber Stolarski, was of no true support and had an ulterior motive in mind.

The talented cast is rounded by the ensemble: Lisa Croce as Noleta and Lavonda’s inebriated designated getaway driver, Juanita; Henry Smith as the bar hopping preacher Reverend Barnes, Evan Long as Bud, Jessica Brotherton as Daisy, and swing Cassidy Scherz.

The technical team casts projections that simulated a drive from Haddonfield, NJ into Winter, TX along with visions of Stonewall, the Big Apple and the issues that pervade the LGBTQ+ community. Ryan “PJ” Mulholland provided the looks of each character with careful consideration, precision and accuracy in wigs and costuming. The stage was fully utilized with rotating panels and pull out bar platforms for speedy and efficient scene changes.

Lighting was simple yet effective for home, church and barroom scenes. Some reminiscent of home and the beautiful sunsets of Texas.

We as an audience participated in call and response for the intro and finale, are soothed by hymns during each scene change, and an exciting honky-tonk line dance at the end while the cast served as a mirror for us to reflect with this splendidly sordid production that gives us an account of ultimate tolerance, acceptance, love, and most of all, family.

Sordid Lives runs from now through June 3. Purchase tickets at https://haddonfieldplaysandplayers.csstix.com/event-details.php?e=477