Epilogue Players opens its 2023-24 season with A Month of Sundays by British television writer Bob Larbey.
Directed by Kathleen Clark Horrigan, the bitter-sweet story takes place in the retirement home room of John Cooper, a septuagenarian of limited strength who spends his days in his smallish quarters flirting with his nurse, turning down his meals, irritating the cleaning lady, chatting with his closest friend, dreading the monthly visits of his daughter, and keeping track of the various stages of dementia in the other residents.
Oh – and he pees a lot.
All this is relayed with a nice mix of funny one-liners and some very emotional scenes, all of which portray the end-life of a good man with an apt observation of many of aging’s struggles.
Ed Mobley navigates the role of Cooper with measured parlance and a fine conveyance of his stage of life. The sympathetic and quiet portrayal shows a man who is troubled by what is happening to him, but who proceeds with the steadfastness of his military background. Lots of Cooper’s thoughts about life are conveyed as internal monologue – chirping away to himself about any and all matters. Mobley does a good job with the role, which is dialogue-heavy and very emotional at times.
Chrisann Taylor plays young Nurse Wilson, a friendly and smart caregiver who loves all her patients. Ms. Taylor is sweet and tender as she looks after Cooper with daughter-like concern. Her very emotive lament of a troubled patient is quite well done.
Ron Pittman takes the role of Cooper’s good friend and fellow resident Aylott and creates a rather interesting character full of elderly quirks. The duo visits daily and they have a routine of mannerisms which defines their friendship. Pittman is just right as the familiar buddy and works through a very difficult and climactic scene with energy and emotion.
Ron Pittman as Aylott with Ed Mobley as Cooper. (Photo provided by Epilogue Players)
Cooper’s daughter Julia and her husband Peter are offered by Amanda Archer and Albert Lahrman. Their monthly visits are uncomfortable and effort-filled, and this pair of actors makes this well obvious. A turning point scene is nicely done, addressing difficulties in the father-daughter relationship. Susan Yeaw makes the role of cleaning lady Mrs. Baker something special, providing a realistic showing of a busy, no-nonsense lady, who none-the-less finds connection with Cooper.
The show is presented on a detailed set by Gale Sturm, with costuming by Curt Pickard and wigs by Tina Pulliam.
A Month of Sundays is an homage to aging with many displays of what it’s like to reach the tough “golden” years – very relatable to folks of my age. Director Horrigan has ensured that her cast members understand these difficulties and the show contains some frank truths. Very moving at times and very funny at others – it is a solid production, about which I can only convey a single criticism: in my opinion, it’s too long.
Two hours and forty-five minutes (including the 15-minute intermission) is lengthy for a modern production. I feel perhaps that the crew traded portraying a strained language pattern – the manner in which elders search for the right word or thought with pauses and gaps – for proper pacing. Many scenes languish in these realistic traits of “senior speech” which is one cause for the lengthy show. Other scenes are merely slow-paced. Can this be remedied? I’m not certain, but I believe that it would be good to address the matter.
Bottom line: The actors’ efforts produce a thoughtful and empathetic look at the problems and circumstances which aging may bring. There are a lot of laughs and some very tender moments in a show I’d recommend for all ages.
A Month of Sundays continues at Epilogue Players’ theatre at 19th and Alabama through Sunday, Nov. 19. For more information about dates, times and reservations go to EpiloguePlayers.com.
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