Review: Suite Surrender

Suite Surrender

By Michael McKeever

Directed by Dale Westgaard

Edmonds Driftwood Players

June 10 – June 26, 2016

Review by Doug Gochanour

The younger generation may not be familiar with United Service Organizations, also known as USO. It was started in 1941, to give American soldiers a place to unwind and be entertained. Talented performers of all kinds took stage shows to troops in the field, and set up clubs in many areas here in the homeland and around the world. To raise funds to support USO, big name stars eagerly participated in benefit performances.

What happens when two feuding, rival Divas are signed up for the same USO benefit tour, and end up at the same hotel? In this case, two starlets, who hate each other, are booked into the very same Presidential Suite at the luxurious Palm Beach Royale Hotel. This sets the scene for potential disaster, with a lurking scandal reporter hoping to get a scoop on the battle.

Complications continue to mount, to the enjoyment of the audience. Where there are two divas, there are surely two personal secretaries, in this case, Murphy and Pippet. They are extremely meek characters, which serves to further the hilarity. Relationship questions come into play involving flowers from Francis the bellhop. How will love and sanity be able to prevail?

Whimsical mayhem and madness erupts as the handlers of each Diva, and the hotel staff, try to keep the Divas apart. The General Manager, Bernard Dunlap, does everything in his power to keep each Diva happy, assisted by his two bumbling bellhops. 

Meanwhile some US Navy boys nearly burn the house down, at the invitation of a Society Matron. Some of the military guests enjoy jumping off balconies into the hotel pool. Even a Diva’s dog takes the plunge.

Be ready to laugh at the antics of these characters as they experience mistaken identity, physical comedy, and plenty of fast paced action. Discover the real secret behind the relationship between the dueling Divas. You will marvel at the wonderful performance of this talented cast.

Buy tickets to Suite Surrender here or take your chances at the door. 

Now is the time to consider subscribing to the next season of Edmonds Driftwood Players. It seems incredible, but we are talking about Season 58. That is a very long history of serving the community with quality live entertainment. The plays in the upcoming season include Wait Until Dark, Fahrenheit 451, Mr. Scrooge, Professor Roth’s Will, Enchanted April, Leaving Iowa, The Drowsy Chaperone, and Lend Me A Tenor. 

Edmonds Driftwood Players, performances at Wade James Theatre, 950 Main St, Edmonds 98020. Phone 425-774-9600.