'Social Security' | A Cinderella-like alternative to home care

BOTTG’s Fall comedy, 'Social Security' by Andrew Bergman, has little to do with the government program by the same name. Instead, Bergman gives us a fun Cinderella-like story for the elderly, with a happy ending for nearly all of the characters.

The comedy involves two middle-aged sisters, Barbara (Melaney Bell Baker) and Trudy (Camille Cooney), at odds with each other over the care of their widowed, financially-dependent mother Sophie.

The action takes place in Barbara and David’s (Nicholas Dahlman) trendy Manhattan apartment and begins with the two successful, free-spirited New York art dealers anxiously awaiting a visit from Barbara's sister Trudy, an overwhelmed helicopter-mom/caregiver, and her accountant husband Martin (Tony Rocha).

Oblivious to their own intrusive parenting style, Trudy and Martin arrive to discuss a crisis involving their daughter Sarah, who is away at college. They reveal shocking news of Sarah’s sexual waywardness - "I live for sex now! Everything is sex!" - and blame it on their preoccupation with Sophie’s care and well-being. In an attempt to save Sarah from herself, Trudy and Martin are flying off - this very night - to visit Sarah, leaving Sophie in Barbara and David’s care. Barbara and David are blindsided.

Enter Sophie.

Initially Sophie lives up to her image of a cantankerous and demanding malcontent who galumphs about with her walker in house dress and slippers. But the moment Sophie meets Maurice, David and Barbara’s friend who is both a famous artist and a centenarian, Sophie softens. She ditches the walker, dresses attractively, becomes charmingly conversant and attentive.

During that first encounter a genuine spark of love appears between the two. Within weeks Sophie is living with Maurice. He buys her an apartment in New York at the Carlisle Hotel and invites her to travel with him to France.

She’s found her prince.

When a sophisticated Sophie visits Barbara and Martin a last time, she insists, “It’s not the Carlisle, you know, or France," and then reveals the truth of her transformation…

Inspired by Sophie and Maurice’s new bliss, Barbara and David return to their carefree life together, love rekindled.

Things fair less well for Trudy. She and her husband announce they’re splitting up. “There’s not much magic left with Trudy anymore,” Martin laments. He has a lover, but adds quickly in an odd grasp at self defense: “She’s the same age as Trudy.”

Two morals to the story?
1) Finding love and a new life is possible in advanced years.
2) Caring for an elderly parent at home can wreck relationships.

As Sophie says, "You never know how things will turn out."

Director Clinton Vidal’s cast comes through, achieving good pacing, comic timing, and delivery that gets laughs. Moments vital to the storyline feel genuine.

Nicholas Dahlman is a joy to watch as David, the effervescent, witty art dealer. His energy is captivating. His physical comedy delightful, though at times heavily stylized and distracting.

Jackie Blue makes Sophie believable and endearing. We’re right with her in her fast transformation from curmudgeon to attentive love interest.

Camille Cooney shines as Trudy with her impressive Long Island accent and comic delivery.
She makes her character lovable.

Melaney Bell Baker as Barbara, Tony Rocha as Martin, and Eddie Roberts as Maurice, all have good, funny moments and round out an enjoyable cast.

The set was pleasing but the walls a bit busy. The sheer number of paintings stole focus from the three paintings referenced during the play.

Special Touch: The portrait of Sophie, revealed in Act II as having been painted by the besotted Maurice, was done by Beate Bruhl, BOTTG’s Chief Scenic Painter.

'Social Security' plays through November 10, 2018
Historic B.D.E.S. Hall 140 West J. Street, Benicia, CA
General Admission $22
Special $45 Show and Dinner Deal - Venticello’s
Reservations and Tickets online at beniciaoldtowntheatregroup.com