One-Thirty Productions, Dallas' only all-matinee theater, opened Dallas critic/playwright Elaine Liner's comedy, Finishing School,a very funny satire/spoof on old-age. Set on a park bench in the garden of an assisted-living facility, the play depicts the relationship between Wizzer, an old codger of 92, and 71 year-old Alfred.
We learn that Wizzer's memory lapses has caused his wife to move the two of them to this facility, and Alfred's son decided to move his dad to this home and take over Alfred's house. Al and Wizzer bicker constantly and collegially and bond over their mutual frailties.
Liner doesn't miss one old-age cliché, as Wizzer and Al Commiserate about loss of hearing, false teeth, boredom, loneliness, memory loss, hip and knee replacements, and prescription drugs, experienced by one or both. Alfred refers to the obits as "the senior sports page." Some of the lines are drop-dead funny (oops, poor choice of words!), and the older you are the funnier the lines will be.
Deftly directed by One-Thirty co-founder, Gene Raye Price, Finishing School boasts a cast of local pros. Gordon Fox, one of Dallas' best character actors, is superb as Wizzer, especially considering he took over one of the two lead roles 24 hours before the opening.
John Davies, long-time Dallas actor and teacher, is appropriately cynical and resigned as the 'youngster' of this duo.
B.J. Cleveland's syrupy, patronizing voiceovers as the nursing home's activities director announcing the day's activities provide LOL interludes.
Two Dallas seasoned actresses fill in the plot lines as mother and daughter when Shirley (Ellen Locy) arrives to wrap up some loose ends following the death of her ex-husband, while their daughter Minnie (Catherine DuBord) is summoned to retrieve a few of her father's belongings. The upbeat ending will have you smiling as you leave the theater.
