In the mood to see a play about real people in a realistic world?
Then check out Oxford resident Suzanne LaBatt in ‘Better Than Money? this weekend with the Birmingham Village Players.
Written by Birmingham playwright Joe Feinstein, the un-produced, brand new comedy centers around a Jewish family and their crazy dynamics.
A mother’s dream plans for her son and daughter go haywire when, in 1946, a ‘liberated? girlfriend, played by LaBatt, of the daughter stays for supper in their Bronx apartment and sets off a chain of events that brings laughs, a few tears and more laughs.
‘The whole play is about chasing your dream and your passion in what you want to do,? LaBatt said.
LaBatt plays the young character Bernice Skancowitz, and considers herself the protagonist, catalyst and the comic relief of the show.
Her character’s energy and enthusiasm wasn’t hard for LaBatt to match, especially creating a thick, nasally Bronx accent.
LaBatt said she wanted desperately to be in this play because she could relate her real life family to the characters in the play and wanted ‘to expose and tell that story.?
‘It’s the most fun I’ve ever had doing a part,? LaBatt said. ‘It’s the most challenging role I’ve ever had because Bernice is very manipulative, and the way the playwright has written her lines, she’ll go from one subject topic to another real fast.?
This is her first time on stage after taking a 16-year ‘retirement? from the occupation because it wasn’t as fun as it used to be.
LaBatt grew up in theater. Her mother taught theater at Groves High School and was a founder of the Groves Performing Arts Company. She attended the University of Detroit where she was involved with the technical and acting aspects of theater, and even traveled to Greece one summer to study the art form.
‘Acting’s a good creative outlet and it’s a challenge,? she said.
‘Better Than Money? will hit the stage on Friday, Aug. 3 and Saturday, Aug. 4 at 8 p.m. Sunday will have a 2 p.m. matinee.
Tickets are $15 and can be ordered by calling (248) 644-2075 or online at www.birminghamvillageplayers.com. The Village Players is located at 34660 Woodward Ave. in Birmingham.