Southern Comforts

Southern Comforts, a romantic comedy by Kathleen Clark, is about a later-life romance, but the twists and turns of love know no age. When we are young we leap then bargain for common ground. Some would say carve out our respective turfs. When we are older we bargain for common ground then leap. But, the key word is “leap.” Young or old, love is a leap. Love eventuates only when caution is finally overpowered and we leap into each other’s arms.
From a distance the foibles of romance and love can be very amusing as well as touching. Gus, grouchy and set in his ways, has been a widower for some time now. One day, Amanda, a widow and perky Southerner, comes knocking at his door. When a sudden thunderstorm strands Amanda in Gus’s living room, the two get better acquainted. Tiny little sparks begin to fly and romance cautiously creeps into the room.
Kathleen Clark’s play is full of humor but ultimately Southern Comforts is about the challenges that confront every couple, young and old alike. Are they getting together for the right reasons? Do they have enough in common to make a relationship last? Can a Democrat and Republican live together happily ever after? And, what about sex? The romantic road has some potholes but Gus and Amanda find a way into each other’s hearts....and ours.
Two of the Rep’s favorite actors, Council Cargle as grumpy Gus and Dorry Peltyn, as perky Amanda, take us up and down the slippery slope of a later-life romance. One thing is certain, anyone who has been in love, young or old, will leave the Theatre smiling and nodding –– been there, done that.
Council has been a part of the Repertory since the early years of the Theatre’s existence. Show after show during the intervening years he has delivered memorable performances and won many awards. Last season Council performed in Between Men and Cattle. He portrayed the compellingly strong father whose precocious young son would eventually become the first Black president at White run college. In the second act of the play he portrayed the chef and handyman whose vitriolic verbal assault reminded the college president of his roots and brought ovations from audiences.
Dorry’s work at the Rep goes back some 12 years ago in Later Life when she portrayed a former love to a Bank President portrayed by Council. Over the years she has performed serious and comical roles in a variety of Rep productions such as The Stillborn Lover, In the Sweet Bye and Bye, Eulogy and Fast Ducks.
Artistic Director, Bruce Millan, will direct Southern Comforts. As a Rep founder he has directed at least one or more plays a year since the Rep’s beginning. Recently he has directed a number of Rep comedies which includes Arborophilia, a play about tree love, Heart Attack, a play about a stand-up comedian and a bevy of women and Coming to Life, a play about five feisty old ladies in a nursing home.
Southern Comforts has a Champagne Opening March 27th and runs every Thursday through Sunday until May 18, 2008. Curtain times are: 8:30pm Thursdays and Fridays; 3pm & 8:30pm Saturdays; 2pm & 7:30pm Sundays. Tickets are on sale at the Repertory Box office or by telephone (313•868•1347) with MasterCard or Visa. General admission for all seats and all performances is $17 advance; $20 door. Office and Box Office Hours are 10am to 5pm Monday through Fridays ; 10am to 1pm Saturdays and one hour before performances.
Repertory “Anytime, Multi-use” Subscriptions and 10-ticket Bargain Booklets are available throughout the year. To book money-making fundraisers contact Group Sales Manager, Annie Cross, during regular business hours.
Maps and directions to the Repertory may be obtained on the website by clicking on Get to The Rep.