BEST WISHES Gets Extended Through 5/3 At Crown City Theater

BEST WISHES by Bill Barker is directed by Hollace Starr gets extended through May 3rd.  All performances $20 General Admission $5 off for Students, and Seniors (code 007)Group Sales available Reservations highly suggested

Crown City Theater on the campus of St. Matthew's Church 11031 Camarillo St. in NoHo (West of the Lankershim/Vineland intersection)

www.plays411.com/best or Call: 818-745-8527

Best Wishes is one of the finest plays written in the 20 th Century. I, personally, feel that it is Pulitzer material, but since the author Bill Barker is not well known it may never be considered. In my own small way (by producing this play) I hope to get him and the play more acclaim, which will hopefully lead to a production at a larger theater. Although Crown City is publicizing it as a comedy, it really is a comagedy. It is the story of a small faction of the largest family in Kansas coming together to pay their last respects to their mother (the matriarch) who gave birth to more then 15 children. They are also paying respects to the house they all grew up in and for some of them the small town (Liberal, Kansas) that they know they will never visit again. The story focuses on the relationships between four of the sisters who are staying at the family home for the funeral. The second to the youngest Elda has gone off to California and made quite a life for herself and her air of superiority over those she left behind becomes a bone of contention and a catalyst for laughs.

Dorie, the youngest has always been obnoxious and petty and her need to tell everyone just how much "momma loved" them starts this play off with a small town charm and true understanding of the quirks and quibbles that make up every family. The rest of the family has always put up with Dorie, but having Elda and her in the same house proves to be too much. Even the older sisters Crystal and Vera can't take the two of them together while they themselves are trying their best to deal with their loss, and keep the family and household together. Gil, the oldest brother, continues as he has for many years taking on the job of father and peacemaker, while Denny the youngest of the boys (age 46) is the fun-loving, lost soul that just can't find a steady job. Rounding out the cast is the mother's best friend Fanny who just can't help but spout out words of wisdom from her deceivingly, senile personality. The play takes place in 1979, a time before the technology boom of personal computers, cell phones and ipods... a time when families had to deal with their problems face to face.

 

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