Theater Review: 'Sordid Lives' at Connecticut Theatre Company

“Sordid Lives,” a comedy by Del Shores, was a new play for me when I attended opening night Connecticut Theatre Company in New Britain. The show opens the next year of storytelling at The Repertory Theatre.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, Executive Director Duane Campbell expresses his gratitude to audiences that allow the company to “keep the arts accessible, vibrant, and inclusive for all of central Connecticut.” He promises a diverse season of stories that “range from the hilariously southern to the deeply profound and the fabulously bold.”

“Sordid Lives” is the hilariously Southern show, which Campbell describes as “a ‘black comedy about white trash’ that reminds us all that family is complicated, no matter how much you love them.” The stage play, and the 2000 film, was inspired by Shore’s own coming out experience to his parents.

Campbell directs this black comedy and encourages audience members to “laugh at the absurdity, the eccentricities, and the sharp-tongued wit that defines these characters.” He adds: “But beneath the layers of hairspray and the smell of fried chicken, there is a beating heart that is profoundly human.” It is the human aspects of “the heavy weight of pretense” that makes the comedy work for these absurd characters.

Erin Campbell, the vice-president of the CTC Board, stands out in the role of La Vonda Dupree, a daughter of Peggy, a good Christian woman who has died under ridiculous circumstances. Despite performing since the age of ten, this is only the fourth time that she has appeared in a show in which she does not sing. With the highest Texas hair, the talented performer nails every aspect of her trashy character, especially her fierce love for her brother. Susan Smith does really well with the role of La Vonda’s straight-laced sister Latrelle Williamson.

David Nunner appears in his tenth show with CTC in the fabulous role of Earl “Brother Boy” Ingram, a Tammy Wynette impersonator. Nunner makes the role his own.

Brian Ballou, who has appeared on stages throughout New England, bravely takes on the role of philandering G.W. Nethercott. Phillip Beard, a literature teacher by day, is a riot in the role of Odell Owens, who plays a mean Cat’s Cradle, and he returns in the final scene as Rev. Barnes. In his 12th show with CTC, Stephen Maher becomes the bar owner Wardell “Bubba” Owens.

Jaymie Bianca of Bristol, a middle school social studies teacher, is delightfully ditzy in the role of Juanita Bartlett in her CTC debut.

Lisa Bynes, in her second CTC show, plays the sister of the deceased, Sissy Hickey. Her character has gone through five husbands and is trying to quit smoking. Christine McGuinness returns to the CTC stage to play the ambitious therapist Dr. Eve Bollinger. Kate Micari appears in her first CTC production in the role of Noleta Nethercott, the betrayed wife of G.W.

Max Dittmar returns to this stage to play the role of young Ty, the gay grandson of the deceased who has gone through 27 therapists in three years in New York City. Dittmar also worked as one of the prop masters for the show.

Paige Machnicz sings well about “sorting out our sordid lives” at the top of each chapter in the role of Bitsy Mae Harling and then is inserted into the action of the final chapter “All Laid Out (In a Mink Stole.) Machnicz also worked as the costume designer of the trashy, flamboyant and mourning clothes.

The director designed the set that must transform itself from Sissy’s living room; to a local bar, a therapist’s office in a mental institution and finally, a Baptist church. With the help of the backstage crew, the cast quickly covers the transformation. The four acts take place in Texas on July 24 and 25, 1998, a time when there was less tolerance. Each of the chapters begin with Ty’s therapy sessions in New York, where he works as an actor.

Campbell also designed the lighting. The stage management team includes Kait Adams and Zenn Langley.

The script includes a lot of foul language, smoking and sexual innuendo, making this more appropriate for adults. It almost feels uncomfortable to laugh at the over-the-top antics of this dysfunctional family, or the title of third chapter “The Dehomosexualization of Brother Boy,” but the opening night audience definitely laughed.

The other shows scheduled for this season are “The Prom,” “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “Carrie The Musical,” and “La Cage Aux Folles.”

The Repertory Theatre is located at 23 Norden Street in New Britain with plenty of street parking in the area. Performances of “Sordid Lives” continue through March 22. ConnnecticutTheatreCompany.org