This is an actual review from TheaterReview.com. You can view the whole thing (and other reviews of my show) by clicking the link below.

For those of you too lazy to click the link, here's the full review. Pay particular attention to the bit between the asterisks.
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Here's my Top Ten List of what I expect when I attend any production at any local community theater:
1. I expect to be entertained.
2. I expect to feel welcome at the venue.
3. I expect to see economical sets and costumes.
4. I expect to see non-professional actors.
5. I expect everyone associated with the production to do their best
6. I expect something to go wrong (technically or otherwise).
7. I expect the audience to be kind (and filled with friends and family of the folks associated with the production).
8. I expect to see a show based on time-tested (and sometimes time-worn) material.
9. I expect to know someone associated with the production.
10. I expect to write a review of the show (you knew that one was coming -- didn't you?).

Sometimes you get more than you expect.

If you attend community theater productions expecting to be entertained, you most definitely should see Kudzu's production of "Father of the Bride". This production features a relatively balanced cast anchored by the venerable and talented Brink Miller reprising a role that fits him like a glove. Brink's Stanley Banks sets the tone for this production: solid, steadfast and dependable. He loves his daughter, loves his wife and is an archetype of male parenthood. Meaning he is clueless and helpless when faced with the unknown. Where others might have made this more of a madcap farce with lots of exasperated running around and screaming, Brink keeps Stanley "on the rails" even though he is constantly rattled by the ever escalating events around him. This is a wise choice because it keeps Stanley in balance, performance-wise, with the rest of the cast.

Barbara McFann as Miss Bellamy, Erin Greer as Peggy, Lee Lasseter as Mr. Massoula and Sarah McKaig as Maria were all a delight! Each character was strong, eccentric and fun to watch. And the supporting cast of Emily Bailey as Emma, Walt Frazier as Joe, Linda Place as Mrs. Pulitski, Chip Decker as Red and Wally Hinds as Pete did commendable work too.

Ashley Rebecca Jones as Kay, Rachel Deel as Tomi, Ryan Bauer as Buckley and Pamela Katz as Ellie all gave enjoyable performances, but all had occasional issues with vocal projection and diction. I was sitting in the front row at Kudzu (which is only five rows deep) and I frequently had trouble hearing dialogue due to a lack of volume or the "swallowing" of lines by different actors at different times. In all fairness I must also say that some lines were lost to being covered up by the audience's laughter (holding for laughs is another thing that could use some work -- although I will admit it is impossible to rehearse). I will also admit to getting older and not hearing as well as I used to, but when compared to a number of the folks in the audience, I am a spring chicken!

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The unexpected surprise for me in this show was Mike Cueller as Ben. His portrayal of the teenage son was so "on target" that I was shocked after the show to learn he is actually 26 years old! He was so full of "teenage boy" on stage that I felt embarrassed for him. But he wasn't hamming it up, upstaging, mugging or trying to steal the focus from others. He just made some very strong, subtle and accurate choices for his character. Bravo Mike!
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The technical aspects of the show ran flawlessly. All of the many sound and light cues were smooth and timely. Kudos to the Kudzu booth! The scene changes were also done well. The set was "in tune" with the story and was decorated nicely with just the right touches to make it read like "home" (even though I'm not sure how many people have purple walls and a column in their living room -- but they made it work).

The show was directed by the team of Wally Hinds and Greg Fitzgerald. I am not sure how two people can direct one show, but apparently, in this case, they did. The blocking and staging was clean and functional and made good use of the space. The various bits of business added a nice touch to many scenes and the show flowed smoothly. I enjoyed the re-writing of the locales in the script to be more familiar to Atlanta residents, and the updating of the "maid" character added some fun stuff too. The use of a cordless phone made the story relate to current times, however the fact that everybody returned the phone to its base after every call was not logical and caused some unrealistic behavior as regards the use of the phone. It's a small thing though.

Now for the paragraphs where I get to vent! The show ran too long. I feel this was due mostly to the steady (but sometimes plodding) pace of the dialogue and staging. I expected scenes to become frantic at times, but they never really seemed to accelerate. I think the run time could have been trimmed by as much as 10 to 15 minutes without cutting anything by simply speeding things up (picking up lines quicker, replacing dramatic pauses with dialogue and action, etc.). Even though the show ran long, it kept my attention. I was never bored, nor was I checking my watch. It was just way past my bedtime by the time I got home.

Some patrons arrived about 10 minutes after the show started for this nearly sold out Saturday night performance and were allowed to be seated while there were actors on stage. The actors did a great job of not letting that disrupt them, but... Kudzu is a very small venue and there is no subtle way to sneak into the theater without disturbing everyone in the audience and on stage. A less disruptive choice could have been made (seating them during a scene change blackout, intermission or having them come another night for example)

After seeing "Father of the Bride", I left the theatre feeling refreshed and entertained. Should I have expected more? Should I have expected to witness some historical theatrical event with Olympian acting, opulent sets and intricate staging?

That is not what community theater is about in my opinion. I got a good story about a father who loves his daughter, produced and presented by a cast, crew, directorial team and venue that really love theater. It showed in their performance. Ain't that what it's really all about?

-Rial

Disclaimer: I have performed at Kudzu (as well as other local community theaters) and am on a first name basis of friendship with several members of this production. If that bothers you, please get over it. I welcome any and all discussion.

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I'll even overlook the fact my last name got spelled wrong.

-Rifty