To those of us who have tried it, growing old is not fun and games.
"Noelle," the new production from Crowded Kitchen Players, explores the end-of-life journey of the elderly Noelle Whitlock, played with poignant sympathy and wry humor by Sharon Ferry. Its a role that perfectly suits her prodigious dramatic talent.
We are not told what kind of life Noelle is at the end of, only that her progeny and a pantheon of professionals surrounding her are self-important, self-centered and impatient. These occasionally well-meaning fools appear in the form of children, in-laws, clergy, and social workers “ the kind of people that hover around the lives of aged people in rapid decline.
Playwright Ara Barlieb spins a two and a half-hour tale that takes place on Christmas Eve, Noelles last night of life on earth, as she reluctantly hosts the annual caroling -- and quarreling -- party in her home.
The guests arrive to find that Noelle has un-decorated the tree and scattered ornaments all over the place. She argues about what to call tinsel. She cant remember her guests names. She has called 911 to report the carolers as a disturbance.
She is losing her mind.
The sibling and spousal arguments hint that they believe it is their duty to linger now that its her "time." But time for what' Move in with the kids' Land in assisted living' Succumb to hopeless dementia' Or maybe its time to just let it all go.
Making such decisions is excruciating, even amid some comic arguments, but Barlieb lands one more punch: Just as Noelle is offered a graceful way out of her deteriorating life, "The Uninvited Guest," (Trish Cipoletti) grants her one last wish -- that she can ask that each of her survivors tell her the truth about what they really think about her.
Ouch.
This is the CKPs 89th production since 2000 “ a prodigious feat in itself “ and one of several that Barlieb has written that uses comedy to explore a serious social issue. A longtime community activist, Barlieb asked representatives of the Lehigh County Office of Aging and Adult Services to be available during and after the show to answer questions about dealing with the real issues of growing old.
Although there are many funny asides, "Noelle" is a dark look at humanity at its most ridiculous and vulnerable moments. We are coerced into tentative chuckles, even at the tragic bits. Who is to decide what to do when Moms mind is fogging up' Is it time for professional help or can we handle this ourselves' Who gets the money' Who gets to dole out the leftover stuff' These are tough questions no matter where you are in your family timeline.
The CKP cast of 15 turns in several funny performances, notably Kenny (Scott Van Nortwick), the partner of Noelle's granddaughter, who talks incessantly as if he had just spent a month reading Wikipedia. The bitter interplay between him and father-in-law Rudy (David "Oz" Oswald) is great fun.
Bruce Brown as Noelles gentle neighbor is touching and true as he defends the kindness he alone offers the elderly woman.
Alexandra Racines is quite believable as a dissembling social worker who drips with overly-sweet concern. Brian Wendt plays the hilarious Pastor Pretorious and Thomas Rush, a martini-swilling medical doctor. The two also set the mood for the play with the pre-show announcements (audience masks required, winner of door prize).
The remaining women in the show, who mostly behave in honorable ways, are played by Suzy Barr Hoffman, Dawn Daignault, Pamela Wallace, and Paula Klein. The cast is completed by Dan Ferry and Billy Ehrlacher as hapless police officers repeatedly called by Noelle for the imagined disturbances and dangers. #
"Noelle" runs at 8 p.m. Dec. 16-18 and 2 p.m. Dec. 18-19 in the IceHouse, 56 River St., Bethlehem. For tickets, go to ckplayers.com