Theatre Wellesley to bring heart and humour with The Curious Savage

The cast of Theatre Wellesley’s fall production of The Curious Savage by John Patrick. Back row, from left, are Nathan Martin, Mary Beth Jantzi, Lori Hoelscher, Jamie Russell, Ian Hopkins and Al Cook. Front row, from left, are Josie Willett, Karen Reger, Olivia Cook, Ingrid Fast and Renee Murray. Contributed photo

By Amanda Modaragamage

Theatre Wellesley’s 27th fall show, The Curious Savage, a 1950 classic by John Patrick, is coming to the Steinmann Mennonite Church stage on Nov. 27 and 28 at 8 p.m., with matinee performances on Nov. 29 and 30 at 2 p.m.

The comedy promises to bring laughs and warm hearts while taking a look at how our dreams and desires shape how others see us — and how we see ourselves.

“At its core, it’s a story about how one’s worth isn’t tied to their identity,” said director Aidan Tessier. “It’s about those with the most social influence who ultimately worsen society; about people who can operate in normal society, but can live peacefully in each other’s society. And about those caught in the middle, trying to bridge the gap between these different worlds.”

In the play, the recently widowed Ethel Savage has decided to use her husband’s fortune to spend her golden years living her dreams and helping others live theirs. Unfortunately, her three stepchildren want every penny for themselves.

Fearing Ethel’s philanthropy (and other unacceptable behaviour) will cost them their inheritance and sully the Savage family name, they have her committed.

She soon finds herself in The Cloisters, a mid-20th-century-style home for the mentally unwell. There she meets a delightful band of misfits who she discovers have much warmer hearts — and are of much sounder minds — than her own children.

Just as the play centres on family, so too does the cast and crew. Many members joined the theatre group alongside relatives, creating a close-knit, community feel both on and off the stage, according to stage manager Rhonda Caldwell.

“We’ve got a lot of family relationships on and off the stage,” she said. “On stage, we have a father-daughter, an aunt-nephew, and behind the scenes, our director and assistant director are a mother-son team. We’ve got a husband-wife team doing set decoration, and our assistant stage manager and photographer are a father-daughter pair.”

The cast and crew are looking forward to not only giving a belly-laugh performance but are also hopeful that attendees walk away with a sense of hope and camaraderie.

“There’s hope in terms of Mrs. Savage wanting to help people have their dreams come true,” said Caldwell. “And a lot of them are crazy dreams, and there’s hope with the people who are in the sanatorium — hope that they can still have a good life.

“I think that people will walk away and think, ‘Maybe some people got what they deserved. But really, you know what? I feel hopeful about relationships — that if people can be kind to each other, it can be a good world after all.’ ”

The Curious Savage will be Theatre Wellesley’s second fall show at Steinmann Mennonite’s hall following the closure of their longtime venue at the old Wellesley Community Centre.

Tickets are available at www.theatrewellesley.com and at Pym’s Market in Wellesley (cash only).