'Miss Abigail's Guide to Dating, Mating & Marriage' at Seven Angels - My Review

Miss Abigail's Guide to Dating, Mating, & Marriage running at Seven Angels Stage II is billed as the story of Miss Abigail, the most sought-after relationship expert to the stars and her sexy sidekick Paco, as they travel the world teaching Miss Abigail’s outrageously funny "how-to's" on dating, mating and marriage. The show was inspired by a book of the same name by Abigail Grotke and was written by Broadway producer Ken Davenport and actress Sarah Saltzberg. This production in Waterbury was sponsored by Diagnostic Radiology Associates.

The 90-minute comedy is presented without intermission and I can pretty much guarantee that you will laugh...a lot...and maybe learn a thing or two from this expert from a simpler time. I knew that it would be funny as soon as I saw who was playing the lead role; what I didn't expect was that there would be audience participation (with prizes,) lots of improvisation and even a story of sorts.

The sassy Earlene Babcock is the star of this show and she has previously appeared in The Best Christmas Variety Show Ever at Seven Angels. She notes in the program that she is "looking forward to being discovered any minute by a big agent who will make her a star." Before becoming Miss Earlene, she was the always funny Michelle Gotay. Ms. Gotay was last seen at 7A in her one-woman show More Kicking and Screaming.

What this actress did really well was personalize the experience to Seven Angels and Waterbury. There was a game show, lessons in love, and handouts distributed by the ushers. She even called a man to the stage to briefly cover for Paco that turned out to be WATR's Tom Chute.

Her Latin side-kick was Ricardo Panini who played Paco. Before becoming this character, he was Mauricio Pita who made his 7A debut with this show. Mr. Pita attended the Shakespeare Acting Conservatory at the Yale School of Drama and got his BFA from Marymount Manhattan College. He was a riot in the role of Miss A's costar.

The comfy set was designed by UCONN graduate Daniel Husvar and lit by Dylan Dineen. Mr. Husvar served as technical director as well. EastCONN grad Keri Dumka must have had a great time as stage manager of this fun production.