“Squabbles”
by Marshall Karp
Where: Olympic Theatre Arts, 414 N. Sequim Ave.
When: 7:30 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, April 8-9, 15-16, 22-23; 2 p.m.
Sundays April 10, 17, 24
Dinner available from 5:30-6:30 p.m. on Saturdays. RSVP only. $18.
Preview: 7:30 p.m. April 7
Pay-what-you-will: 7:30 p.m. April 14
Show tickets: $16 adults, $14 members and active military, $10 youth
Available at: 683-7326, www.olympictheatrearts.org, or from the box office 1-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Squabbling is a part of life, says Peter Greene.
“It’s a part of the human condition,” he said.
The Olympic Theatre Arts’ actor takes his words to the stage as the snappy Abe Dreyfuss in the play “Squabbles” starting April 8.
The audience meets Abe after he’s moved in with his daughter and son-in-law Alice and Jerry, played by Jennifer Horton and E.J. Anderson, following a heart attack and the death of his wife. Jerry’s mother, Mildred, played by Cathy Marshall, soon moves in too after her home burns down, leading to a showdown of the in-laws.
Mildred and Abe don’t pull any punches throughout, Greene said.
“She and I are very similar,” Greene said. “She has a biting wit, too. She says what she’s thinking, too.”
Anderson said if you are a fan of classic sitcoms from the 1970s and 1980s, then you’ll enjoy it.
“I get a real sense of ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm,’” Greene said.
“I lived in New York. It’s an echo of the life I lived back there. The people are lovable. It’s almost nostalgic for me.”
“It’s the most fun I’ve had in a role,” Greene said. “If we can present it that way, then the audience should really enjoy it.”
Marshall, who mostly performs in musical comedies, said the banter is fast-paced and witty.
“It’s fun and it’ll keep you laughing for two hours,” she said. “And the deeper message is wonderfully human.”
Members of the play say “Squabbles” also shows what’s it is like to question the purpose of life as a senior. “If you are over 60, you should not miss this play,” director Larry Harwood said.
“Squabbles” was his first directing job 25 years ago as a dinner theater in Carrie Blake Park, he said, and its message still resonates.
“Abe argues for life,” Harwood said.
Marshall says that the play “shows that even in our advancing years we can have fun in a fulfilling way.”
“In the second act there’s an aha moment for Mildred and when Peter delivers a monologue, I personally get teary-eyed almost every time, which I know I’m not supposed to do,” she said.
Also appearing in the play are Monica Ostrom as Mrs. Fisher, Jim Conventry as Sol Wasserman and Bud Davies as Hector Lopez.
Saturday shows also feature an additional dinner. For more information on dinner and show tickets, visit www.olympictheatrearts.org, call 683-7326 or visit the box office 1-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
