PowPAC's 'Cemetery Club' is well-cast, funny and touching

By: RUTH LEPPER - For the North County Times | Wednesday, January 23, 2008 2:43 PM PST ∞

Director Kate Hewitt has assembled a wonderful and talented cast for "The Cemetery Club," a touching tale of Jewish widowhood now playing at PowPAC, Poway's Community Theatre.

Diane Thrasher, Renee Levine and Lucy Ann Albert star as the widows who make a monthly trek to the graves of their husbands.

Each of the women brings a wealth of acting experience to her character, giving the widows the warmth and love brought to life by playwright Ivan Menchell. Thrasher plays Ida, the widow who thinks it may be time to move on. Levine is Lucille, the flirtatious one who has already moved on. Albert is Doris, the devoted widow who will never move on.

Their friendship is what holds this play together. Harsh words threaten to destroy that friendship as each of the women is forced to deal with the present. There are sad times revisited and happy times remembered.

The actors work well together, emoting a believable relationship between three old friends. Hewitt couldn't have made a better choice in her casting.

The plot thickens when a widower enters the picture. Tom Delaney plays Sam, the neighborhood butcher who turns up at the cemetery to pay his respects to his late wife. Delaney, as with the others, has a knack for making his character true to life.

Ilene Kruger is a hoot as the ditzy girlfriend who turns up on Sam's arm when everyone meets at Ida's house to attend a wedding. Kruger shows off her comedic talent as she plays the role for laughs, which is how it should be played.

There are a few teary moments as the story progresses, but be prepared for more laughter than tears. It's a very touching story and will be remembered long after the final bows.

Thrasher, Albert and Kruger are new to the PowPAC stage. Levine has appeared in several productions here, and Delaney was most recently seen in PowPAC's "Harvey."

The set designed by Raylene J. Wall adds to the ambiance of the story. Lighting design by Chad Oakley and sound design by Lou Alliano round out the overall effect.

Costumes coordinated by Sherrie Colbourn are a pure delight, leaving it unnecessary to set a time frame for the story. Several fur coats make it dated to an era when that was more acceptable, but that's all.

"The Cemetery Club" is a sure winner for PowPAC and definitely a production not to missed by its regular audiences as well as newcomers to this worthwhile community theater.

"The Cemetery Club"

When: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays; through Feb. 10

Where: PowPAC, Poway's Community Theatre; 13250 Poway Road, Poway

Tickets: $15, general; $12, seniors, students and active-duty military

Info: (858) 679-8085

Web: www.powpac.org

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