Photos: WAITING IN THE WINGS To Open At Theatricum Botanicum

WAITIING IN THE WINGS a vibrant, funny, deeply humane comedy by Noël Coward, opens tonight on the outdoor stage at Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum with co-producing artistic director Willow Geer at the helm. Check out the photos below!

Set in a charity home for retired actresses, Coward's 50th play is a witty and poignant portrait of nine opinionated, funny, difficult and full of life women, each of whom once basked in public admiration - but who must now learn to face old age together, long after the curtain has fallen. A tribute to the theater that evokes the lives of aging stars, their lingering jealousies and the enduring power of friendship, 'Waiting in the Wings' is a meditation on community and forgiveness. Old grievances linger here like half-remembered roles, but Coward suggests that bitterness is heavy to carry, and that reconciliation, no matter when, can be liberating.

Residents at The Wings include May Davenport (Jan Wikstrom), a bona-fide star in her day who specialized in Shakespeare and restoration comedies, and Lotta Bainbridge (Susan Angelo), a distinguished, lifelong actress who was May's rival in love. Bonita Belgrave (Katherine Griffith) was popular in supporting parts, entertaining the troops during World War I, while vivacious Maudie Melrose (Jane Macfie) excelled as a soubrette in musical comedies. True stardom may have eluded them, but Estelle Craven (Michele Schultz) spent her entire life on the stage, as did Almina Clare (Gini Autumn Benson). Cora Clarke (Cynthia Kania) and Deirdre O'Malley (Earnestine Phillips) are accomplished stage veterans, while Sarita Myrtle (Ellen Geer) may be losing her grip on reality as she continues to re-live past roles. Staffing The Wings are the outwardly gruff but kind-hearted resident superintendant, Miss Archie (Miranda Heath); likeable employee Perry Lascoe (Will Collyer), and the put-upon maid, Doreen (Natalia Jofre). Visitors include Lotta's former but still faithful dresser Dora (Offir Mashiah); Lotta's son, Alan (Billy Walker); an elderly gentleman caller named Osgood Meeker (Tim Sabourin); the good Dr. Jevons, who must make frequent house calls (Asa Fris); and Zelda Fenwick (Isabel Stallings), a journalist who may have ulterior motives.

Performances will continue through Oct. 3 in rotating repertory with four other mainstage plays. To find a complete schedule of performances, go to theatricum.com.

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