Stage Door Theatre’s opening production of “Ripcord” a tale of two elderly women determined to best each other, no matter how ruthless the tactic, is the entire package of humor, pathos, and discovery.
A sunny room on an upper floor of an assisted living facility houses the cantankerous Abby (Susanne Roush), who is forced to share her quarters with cheerful new arrival Marilyn (Shelly McCook).
Abby, a legend at the facility for being its most disagreeable resident, decides she has no choice but to get rid of Marilyn by any means necessary and proposes a bet between them. If Abby infuriates Marilyn, she must move out of the room. If Marilyn scares Abby, she will stay in the room and move to the bed next to the window.
The bet quickly escalates into a dangerous game of one-upmanship that reveals not just the determination of two worthy opponents, but also long-ago painful memories that each would rather remain hidden.
The cast surrounding Roush and McCook is beautifully cast. I particularly enjoyed the no-nonsense nursing assistant Scotty (Franz-Joseph Castillo), whose job is to deliver medication and meals to the duo while trying to squash the escalating war between them.
Abby and Marilyn are perfect foils for each other in the no-holds-barred battle for real estate, as they each inappropriately explore any means necessary to destroy the other. Their antics had the audience howling with laughter, gasping in horror, and later, filled with empathy as the layers of their past regrets are revealed.
Director Lilliangina Quinones and scenic designer Karl Dickey do a masterful job of managing scene changes, complete with entertaining theatrical flourishes. The chaotic skydiving scene (yes, you read that right), in particular, is beautifully choreographed.
“Ripcord” runs Thursday to Sunday through Oct. 18. It’s one of the best plays I’ve seen at SDT, and I’ve experienced my share. Don’t miss it.
