Theater review: One Slight Hitch

One Slight Hitch

By Lewis Black

Directed by Christine Mosere

@ The Phoenix Theatre

October 9 – November 1, 2015

Review by Victoria Gilleland 

Prepare to laugh out loud at this hilarious romantic comedy set in 1981 suburban Cincinnati, Ohio. Remember the good old days? Reagan was President, Raiders of the Lost Arc was #1 at the Box Office, JR and Sue Ellen were duking it out on Dallas, and TAB was still a popular diet drink.  

Meet the Coleman Family ... It’s the day of daughter Courtney’s wedding. Since she didn’t have the wedding of her dreams 30 years earlier, Mom Delia is determined to make this wedding perfect. ‘One Slight Hitch’ turns out to be the sudden uninvited reappearance of Ryan, Courtney’s ex-boyfriend, who knew nothing of the planned wedding.

The first character we meet is bouncy teenage daughter P.B. who is convincingly and energetically played by Rebekah Dawn. P.B. acts as narrator while she dances around the stage with her Walkman playing ‘Bette Davis Eyes’ and Jessie’s Girl’. She makes the 80’s look like a really fun time!

Courtney, played by Elizabeth Adkisson, is the typical 20 something young woman who is ready to ‘tie the knot’ with Mr. Right. Harper is that Mr. Right. He is reserved, polite, caring, and well groomed. Ryan the ‘Ex’ is the opposite:  a self-absorbed ne’er do well. In fact Ryan ends up wandering around the house wrapped in a towel for much of the play. Go figure that one!

Melanie Calderwood is superb as Delia, the mother of the bride. Delia is wound up to the extreme and trying desperately to micromanage every aspect of the fabulous wedding that has been planned. As counter to Delia, the father of the bride, Doc, is masterfully played by Keith Dahlgren. Doc is the voice of reason in the chaos which is this family although he definitely has his moments … For instance when he decides to carry on a conversation with the bride and groom figures residing on top of the wedding cake. That was fascinating!

The third daughter, Melanie, played by Simone Lawson rounds out the family. She’s a nurse who returns home dressed in white ... but maybe from a wild party - not the night shift - at the hospital? Lawson plays the role perfectly with a decidedly earthy vibe!

There’s an unexpected ending that might be a little too precious if the whole production wasn’t so well done. Accolades to the director, actors and creative team who made this zany walk down memory lane so much fun.   

Go see it … You’ll like it!

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