Theater Review: 'Terms of Endearment' by Diamond Theatre Company

Review by Nancy Sasso Janis

Wallingford - The Diamond Theatre Company is presenting their production of the drama “Terms of Endearment” this weekend only at the beautifully modern Wallingford Senior Center.

The “Terms” of this story are the challenges in life and love that test the resilience of a mother-daughter relationship. Even though Emma is often exasperated by her highly-opinionated mother, Aurora, they talk every day about their problems. We see Aurora find unexpected love even as she becomes a reluctant grandmother while Emma's struggles in her troubled marriage. The story culminates in a time when they need each other most. This funny and touching story captures the delicate, sometimes fractured bonds between mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, and lovers, both old and new.

The play was adapted for the stage by Dan Gordon, and is based on the novel by Larry McMurtry as well as the screenplay by James L. Brooks. It is a funny, endearing and ultimately tear-jerking story that is told very well by the six actors in the cast. In fact, audience members are offered both a playbill and a tissue as they are welcomed into the space where the performance is staged. I am quite sure that in my ten years of reviewing I have never been offered a tissue to dry my tears during the sad parts of the show. A mask, yes, but never a tissue and it was a nice touch.

Director Kat Blair truly understood the demands of this script and (perhaps with the help of producer Nick Rapuano) cast actors that were capable of bringing to life these strongly-drawn characters. Blair made wonderful use of the entire space, including a swath of floor space in front of the slightly elevated stage at the senior center. Patrons seated at the VIP tables have an up-close and personal view of these scenes and are warned that if they must leave their seat, they should do so through the rear of the space. Otherwise, they would become part of the action.

“Terms of Endearment” is essentially a tale of a mother-daughter relationship and the two actors who play the pair have some great chemistry.

Virginia Wolf is the founder of Herstory Theater, which is dedicated to celebrating unsung heroines of history and producing additional projects that celebrate both women and history. In her first Diamond Theatre appearance, Wolf plays the emotional role of Aurora Greenway. There is also some subtle comic timing as well, in the big personality that is Aurora.

Kaitlyn Newman gives a fine performance as Aurora’s daughter Emma. She has some comedy in the first act, and lots of angst in the second, and she does well with all of it. Newman appeared as Veronica in “God of Carnage” with DTC and has done some film work.

Jeff Snyder tackles the role of Garrett Breedlove, whom he dubs “a womanizing astronaut.” From his convincing entrance as a drunk being driven home by a much younger woman through his unlikely affair with Aurora and finally to his heavy-handed support of Aurora’s family, Snyder carries it all off well.

It was a treat to see the actor Terrance Peters (Col. Mustard in Castle Craig Players’ “Clue”) on another stage, this time in the role of Flap Horton, Emma’s husband. Peters notes in his bio that he is “thrilled to be reprising his role as Newman’s not-so-great husband (even if it is a different show.)" While Flap is less than likable, Peters does well with his portrayal.

Shawna Martine (they/them) takes on the roles of Emma’s friend Patsy, the young woman who drives home the drunk astronaut and a nurse. Martine hails from Manchester and easily switches between their characters.

Rick Beebe of Hamden plays the supporting role of Emma’s specialist, Dr. Maise.

I noticed that lights by Oscar Alarcon don't really come into play until the second act and sound by Tristan Speed worked well. Eileen Blair and Rapuano serve as the crew.

I can’t say that I remember much about the film version, or if I ever watched it until the end, but I enjoyed this adaptation. Some may not expect the ending of the play, but I thought the director handled it very well. If there were a few missed lines on opening night, the cast recovered well.

Performances continue through June 25 at the Wallingford Senior Center, 38 Washington Street in Wallingford, CT. General Admission $25, Premium Seating $30 (Premium Seating is limited and offers front row seating with the most direct view of the show.)

Tickets: diamondtheatrecompany.com/tickets

Nancy Sasso Janis, writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, posts well over 100 reviews each year. In 2016, her membership in the Connecticut Critics Circle began and her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted not only in the Naugatuck Patch but also on the Patch sites closest to the venue. She has been a contributor to the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper for two years. Her weekly column and theatre reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the paper.

Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the CCC Facebook page.