Review: SORDID LIVES Presented by Wayward Actors Company at The Bardstown

Jennifer Starr & Craig Nolan Highley in Sordid Lives. Photo courtesy Wayward Actors Company.

Sordid Lives

By Del Shores

Directed by Jeff Mangum

Review by Taylor Clemons

Entire contents copyright © 2016 Taylor Clemons. All rights reserved.

Dark as it is, and funny as it is, it seems that Wayward Actor's production of Sordid Lives has shown up right when we needed it. This dark comedy bravely, and un-apologetically speaks it's mind, with humor, wit, and crass honesty.

At the center of this uncouth southern comedy is a family dynamic that is, well strange-- to say the least. At the beginning of each new scene, the audience gets an inside look at Ty's (Jake Minton) therapy sessions where he talks openly about his homosexuality and his life back before he left his family and home in Winters, Texas. The beloved matriarch of the family has just passed away due to some very seedy and unlikely circumstances. While having an affair, she tripped over her lover's wooden legs, and hit her head on the sink of a dirty motel. Her sister Sissy (Emily Miller), and two daughters Latrelle (Janice Walker) and LaVonda (Glenna Godsey) are left to organize the funeral. Shocked and in awe of the circumstances, disagreement ensues between Latrelle and LoVonda. We soon learn that Latrelle is Ty's mother, and that she is in denial about her son's homosexuality. We then learn that their other sibling, Brother Boy (Craig Nolan Highley) has been in a mental hospital for the last 23 years where he is trying to be cured of his homosexuality and transvestism. In the time of grief and sorrow the family digs deep, and comes together to honor the mother, sister, and grandmother they have lost.

The cast of this production was no less than stellar. Opening the show is Jessica Fryrear (Bitsy Mae) who gets the audience into the southern mood with the fun title song. Jake Minton (Ty) is very laid back and reflective as the precursor to each chapter in our story. His monologues were potent and effective. Emily Miller (Sissy) is giving us a wonderful comedic performance as the nervous wreck who has just given up smoking. Janice Walker (Latrelle) is particularly grand as the neurotic family goody goody, and gathers much laughter, especially as the play goes on and in the final moments. Glenna Godsey (LaVonda) is serving the audience white trash at it's best. She is brassy, loud, and the audience can't help but love her for it. Christopher McDavid (Juanita) is a straight up scene stealer who's one word deadpan remarks had the audience rolling. Jennifer Star (Dr. Eve Bolinger) and Craig Nolan Highley (Brother Boy) have wonderful chemistry in their scene. The dynamic was palpable, and the audience found themselves hanging on every word.

On the whole, I must say I did enjoy the show quite a bit. Jeff Mangum's direction is spot on for this incredibly campy show. He makes amazing use of the intimate Bardstown, and using the entire theatre as a stage was ingenious and brilliant at the same time. I will say that some scenes did tend to drag a bit, but I fault that more on the writing than the production.

The show, while mostly quite funny, really makes you ask some important questions about family, and unconditional love. I will say the show is a specific kind of crass, borderline vulgar humor, but even if that sort of thing isn't for you the stage is bursting with a talented ensemble of wonderful character actors that anyone would be a fool to miss. My advice to you is to head over to the Bardstown, have a drink, take this wild journey to Winters, Texas, and meet a family you would have to see to believe.

Sordid Lives

November 17, 18, 19, 23, 25, & 26 @ 7:30 pm

November 27 at 5:00 pm.

Tickets $18 available at thebardstown.com

Wayward Actors Company

At The Bard's Town

1801 Bardstown Road

Louisville, KY 40204

(502) 749-5275

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