Jane
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Starlight's Calendar Girls is based on the 2003 film inspired by the true story of a group of middle-age, respectable Yorkshire women who posed nude for their Women's Institute calendar. At the end of the first act, six women strike their provocative poses for pictorial posterity.
Each "shot" in turn was applauded warmly by the audience, because these actresses were doing more than acting. They really were standing there nude on stage, with strategically placed props. This is as real as it gets, so you have to applaud the commitment.
But there was a great sense of fun and joy to be applauded as well. We are reminded repeatedly that these women are "nude," not "naked," which put them in the grand tradition of 1950s pin-up model Betty Page.
The pivotal pair, well done by Laura Davis Stebbins as Annie and Tanya Canady Burnham as Chris, are best friends at the W.I. But while the ladies are having fun with their own version of tai chi and other activities, Annie's husband, John, beautifully played by Bill Henson, slowly succumbs to cancer.
To honor John and raise funds for a memorial, Chris comes up with the idea for a W.I. calendar that is not Yorkshire churches or bridges, and then it is just a matter of convincing the rest of the group. For some of them, the calendar shoot is something of a lark. But for most of them, it is a question of overcoming deeply personal issues regarding grief, age and body image.
Celia (Charlotte Ruppert), the sex symbol wife, finds "flaunting it" is fun, while as Jessie the ex-school teacher, Gloria Vivalda, delivers a spirited denunciation of age discrimination with a great payoff line.
The most reluctant members of the sextet are Cora (Candace Myers), who is a single mother, vicar's daughter and church organist and Ruth (Susan DeRosa), who proclaims she'll buy a hundred calendars but won't pose.
All of the pin-up beauties are diversely funny and charming.
Adjunct to our calendar crew are Jane Zussman, hysterically "proper" and snobbish as the titular head of their W.I. chapter - she does a brilliant fall - and Cele Friestater as Lady Cravenshire, county judge of all things W.I. Kellie Stonebrook is a very entertaining television station make-up expert and Anita Calcagno is a guest speaker extolling the wonders of broccoli. Toss in Bruce Bennett as Chris' husband, Greg Pratt as the reluctant photographer and Jacob Meier as a sleazy television producer and we have quite the stew.
Clever, sincere and slightly naughty, the play is a crowd pleaser. Director Kristine Thatcher has done a fine job of creating a lovely sense of camaraderie. The costuming (Linda Granger and Julie Dodds) is excellent as are all of the show elements. It's not for the kids but the adults will have a great evening.
See it this evening or next weekend. Reservations at 517.599-2779 or online at http://www.starlightdinnertheatre.com.