"Things My Mother Taught Me"

August 27, 2019 — For the final play of its 89th season, the Barnstormers Theatre in Tamworth, New Hampshire, presented Katherine DiSavino's "Things My Mother Taught Me," a comic take on the age-old problem of parents unable to let their children go. This production was directed for the Barnstormers by Buddy Haardt, a frequent actor in Barnstormers plays. The set, perfectly designed for the needs of the play, was by Sarah Rozene. Mary Selvoski designed the costumes.

Gabe (Jordan Ahnquist) and Olivia (Melanie Beck), so far unmarried and unengaged (although Gabe may have a surprise up his sleeve) are moving into an apartment in a low-rent but potentially high-crime neighborhood in Chicago. Olivia is emotional, dramatic and excitable while Gabe is low-key and humorous.

For the first 15 minutes or so of the first act, Gabe and Olivia engage in seemingly pointless conversation about their parents, the problems of moving, items brought to the new apartment, such as Gabe's large carton of a dozen or so boxes of chocolate-coated cereal because they're the last cereal to include a prize in every box. A living room chair has become stuck in the door, forcing them to bring the rest of their belongings up the fire escape, not visible in the play. But none of this is pointless. It's important to listen carefully. Everything becomes key to the second act.

Max (Andrew Codispoti), the Polish building superintendent, is no help. When he doesn't care to answer a question, he declares in perfect English that his English isn't so good. However, he warns them to keep an eye on their moving van because of crime in the area. Because he warned of this, is there a good chance the van is going to be stolen? In drama, this is called "Chekhov's gun." Russian playwright Anton Chekhov said if a gun appears in the first act, it has to be fired before the end.

The first surprise visit is Gabe's parents, Wyatt (Frank Ridley) and Lydia (multiple-award winner Dee Nelson) who drove all the way from Connecticut. They see no reason to book a hotel room when they can stay with Gabe and Olivia. After all, they have two bedrooms. Next to arrive are Olivia's parents, Karen (Donna Sorbello) and smart-phone addicted Carter (Jordan Reeves).

Later, Wyatt and Carter decide to go out searching for Gabe who has gone to find the stolen van (you guessed it). Gabe returns empty-handed, followed later by Wyatt and Carter, gloriously and hilariously drunk in the two best performances of the play.

How does it all end? I won't spoil it in case you have a chance to see it, but suffice it to say DiSavino's cleverly-devised, well-written play, when performed by a cast as brilliant as the Barnstormers', is a joy to behold. It ends their season on a high note. I'm already looking forward to next summer's offerings.