reviewed by Daniel Shock

Birthdays, funerals, and weddings—the three family events where you become the producer, star, or supporting character of the story. Of the three, weddings are easily the most elaborate. I have found that, much like dogs, I prefer others’ weddings. There’s very little for me to do at your weddings. I was late to the last one I attended, so late that I came in through the kitchen just in time to hear ‘you may kiss the bride’. Weddings where I have a role (video, singer, usher, best man, or groom) immediately put me in anxiety mode. The play, Father of the Bride, staged in 1949 and based on a novel by Edward Streeter, is a light and breezy romp through the anxiety and misery a father feels as his daughter plans her wedding.

Kay Banks (Lizzie Schultz, right) presents her fiancé, Buckley Dunstan (Daniel Alejos)

The story is simple. Daughter Kay Banks (Lizzie Schultz) announces her engagement to a young man, Buckley Dunstan (Daniel Alejos), while her family eats breakfast. The family, titular father Stanley Banks (Dave Hoffman), mother Ellie Banks (Debbie Underwood), and brothers Ben (Gideon Roark) and Tommy (Tommy Lockwood), react in a variety of ways. Kay reassures her family that it will be a very small wedding. The family, especially Father, breathes a sigh of relief. A few moments later, the groom arrives at the house and meets the family. The happy couple again assures everyone that the wedding will be small—no more than 50 guests, which still seems too much. Don’t believe them. The rest of the play is told mostly from Mr. Banks’ perspective, detailing the planning of the wedding. Will everyone emerge from the play with their lives and relationships intact?

Kay Banks (Lizzie Schultz) with her father, Stanley (Dave Hoffman)

Director Barcia Alejos has assembled a likable group of actors to tell this story. Dave Hoffman as Mr. Banks is clearly having a good time as he slowly loses his sanity, yet he also imparts touching words of wisdom. He is the heart of the show and very funny. Debbie Underwood as mother Ellie is warm and maternal, enabling her daughter’s matrimonial desires. Gideon Roark and Tommy Lockwood as the brothers find many opportunities to annoy and support their older sister. Belfry regulars Dana Lesh and Rob Lawson almost steal the show as the secretary and caterer, respectively. Lizzie Schultz and Daniel Alejos as the young couple in love are just as dreamy-eyed and sweet as you would want them to be.

As the show began, I was concerned about the pace and quality of the dialogue delivery. Something seemed off, as if it was the first time the cast had seen the lines. It was uniform across the whole cast; I can’t pin it down on any one person. It may well be that getting back into it for a Thursday evening show was a little rough. I’m happy to report that things picked up and improved by the time Stanley Banks tries on his twenty-year-old tuxedo. You might say things ‘tightened’ up. There are also a number of actors with smaller roles who shine and add a lot to the show.

Stanley (Dave Hoffman) deals with the caterer (Rob Lawson)

The technical aspects of the show were fine. The set by Jay Ganz and José Alejos was perfect, believable as a warm family home. Lighting was simple, bright, and well lit. Sound was okay, though all the actors used microphones, which occasionally dropped out and were distractingly taped to their faces. I confess, I miss the old Belfry where you didn’t need microphones, and it felt more intimate. The costumes were a mixed bag and did not seem to represent a consistent era, though this did not hamper my enjoyment of the show.

Addie McMillan is the Wedding Singer

Lastly, if you arrive 25 minutes early, there is a young woman, Addie McMillan, credited in the program as the wedding singer, who sings 6 or 7 songs from the era. She sings beautifully, and you will be convinced she time traveled from the ’50s to perform. Catch it if you can.

Father of the Bride presented by the Belfry Theatre and performed at Noblesville United Methodist Church (enter door 2) is running for three more performances. Tonight at 8:00 PM, Saturday Matinee at 2 PM, and Sunday Matinee at 2 PM. For tickets, call the box office at 317-773-1085 or go online at https://www.thebelfrytheatre.com/

  • – photos by Indy Ghost Light (Rob Slaven)