This
deliciously wicked World Premiere comedy follows two very different sisters
as they get themselves into an outrageous pickle with an old high school
boyfriend, a chaotic church social and a secret family recipe for Christmas
sausage.
Guy Sanville, director, says:
"Norma & Wanda is a hilarious farce. And, like all really good farce, there's something wacky and a little dark underneath."
The title roles were played by PRTC Resident Artists Sandra Birch and Michelle Mountain, sharing the stage with Terry Heck, Grant R. Krause, Jim Porterfield, and making his PRTC debut, Chris Korte.
The successful production moved to the Gem Theatre in Detroit after a sold-out run in Chelsea at The Purple Rose.
Critics' Quotes:Jeff Daniels’ latest
plays like the daughter of Escanaba Martin F. Kohn Rose offers entertaining portrait of
2 sisters "There are moments of heart-stopping tension... which evolve from the comic situations quite naturally... (Terry) Heck is hilarious as the pious but panicky Mary Sue... the play’s bright energy and wit keep things brisk, and numerous unexpected plot twists and surprises make for a thrilling, fun ride..." Jenn McKee Norma & Wanda Christopher Potter |
Photos by Danna Segrest
"Norma & Wanda does
for women what Escanaba did for men; it plants them in
a house and makes them look foolish while emphasizing the importance
of family bonding. Guy Sanville’s production is a spirited
physical comedy with some favorite farceurs from the Purple Rose
roster. Purple Rose is the closest thing we have to a true repertory
theater, where a corps of actors appears in different plays throughout
the season... To see (Sandra) Birch, (Michelle) Mountain and (Terry)
Heck on the same stage is a reason enough to attend a performance
of Norma & Wanda. Each has her particular strengths
and Sanville makes the most of them. Birch is a commanding presence,
the sort who can use up all the air in the room; Mountain has a
knack for playing characters who appear simple but may not be;
and nobody does overwhelmed and bewildered like Heck."
"Ah,
the joys of repertory theater! ... It’s a play that moves
relentlessly. It’s got thrills, surprises, physicality and
most importantly, it’s got characters who really resonate."