By Marilyn Noble
Written in the days when “choice” meant meat loaf or pot roast for dinner, “Never Too Late,” the latest production from the Country Dinner Playhouse, provides an entertaining look at what happens when a middle-aged couple finds themselves expecting their second child—24 years after their first was born.
Edith Lambert, played by Billie McBride, is the essence of early 1960s wife and motherhood. She races around the house, cleaning, cooking and otherwise organizing life for her husband Harry (Louis Schaefer), daughter Kate (Amy Board) and son-in-law Charlie (Matthew Dente), all of whom fail to recognize her self-sacrificing efforts as anything other than just the way things are.
When Edith announces her pregnancy to the family, their first thoughts are for themselves.
Harry, the successful owner of the local lumberyard, is worried that his customers and employees will laugh behind his back, while the irresponsible Kate, now called on to help around the house, becomes whiny and slovenly. Charlie spends most of his time trying to placate his wife and earn the respect of Harry, who also happens to be his boss.
Charlie (Matthew Dente) and Harry (Louis Schaefer) share in a moment of merry-making mischief during the production of “Never Too Late” at the Country Dinner Playhouse.
In the meantime, empowered by her impending motherhood and cheered on by her best friend Grace, Edith takes charge of her life and her household, and begins remodeling, redecorating and outfitting a nursery, much to Harry’s chagrin. He’s especially mortified when he comes home to find new bathroom fixtures sitting on his front lawn, in full view of the mayor’s house next door.
The situation deteriorates until Edith runs away, Charlie and Harry go on a bender and insult the mayor, and the police show up. As in all comedies, the final scene brings resolution to all of the issues, everyone kisses and makes up, and all’s well that ends well.
“Never Too Late,” by Sumner Arthur Long, runs through April 13, with performances Tuesday through Sunday evenings. Doors and the buffet open at 6, followed by curtain at 7:45. The Country Dinner Playhouse is located at 6875 South Clinton Street, near Centennial Airport.
For more information or for reservations, call (303) 799-1410,
or visit [http://www.countrydinnerplayhouse.com]