Under the Yum Yum Tree Extra
By: Donna Maddamma
May 14, 2009
The era is the 1960’s, the scene is an apartment building, the cast of characters is small, yet the action and the pace of this light hearted comedy is riveting. The action constantly moves from side to side of the set. There is always someone coming or going from somewhere on this ingeniously built stage. It will make you wonder, are there really only four characters? The action never stops. The laughs wont either.
Chris Robinson directs for the first time at Runway Theater bringing Under the Yum Yum Tree to life. His instincts for casting the perfect actors and pulling their talents to the surface are evident in this play. “It’s really going to be a little jewel in the season,” Chris states of Yum Yum. “If they [audience] were fans of the Doris Day and Rock Hudson movies of the sixties, they are going to like Yum Yum Tree. It’s that same sort of style,” he added. “The audience is going to have such an unexpected good time!”
Irene is the cornerstone of the quartet of characters in Yum Yum Tree. As the aunt of Robin she is turning over her apartment to her niece and in the process hoping to enlighten her in the ways of modern 1960’s. She wishes only the best for her niece and her niece’s boyfriend yet at the same time she desires to protect her from the bad things she herself has experienced. As hard as she tries, Irene’s good intentions come across as more of a hysterical, neurotic woman than a nurturing relative. Her dramatically physical way of expressing herself make even the simplest of sentences speak volume. She is torn between a deep-seated love for the playboy landlord and an extreme desire to see him burn in hell. Especially when she realizes he has intentions for her niece. “Her goal for the entire show is to keep that from happening,” said Staci Cook of her character.
Shane Strawbridge plays Hogan the surly landlord. Historically he has managed to woo almost every woman who has lived in his building. His love affair with Irene, however, proved to be the one with the most impact. He lives across the hall from Irene. When she decides to move out and leave her apartment to her niece he immediately changes his directives from Irene to her niece.
About the play itself, Shane commented, “It’s a funny show. There are little subtle things that happen. This will really be a funny experience for a lot of people.” As for his character, Hogan, Shane said. “This is the character that is never up to any good at all. He’s a sweet talker and he’s always up to something.” As Irene is the cornerstone of the quartet, Hogan is the one loose stone that keeps rolling around in these people’s lives stirring them up and thickening the plot. He never actually helps anyone with anything including himself but he never stops stirring. His comical lines and off the wall behavior keeps everyone watching the story laughing and everyone involved in the story shaking their heads. “He’s like a little jolt of electricity to up the conflict for everybody,” Shane added.
Dave Manning, played by Keith Warren, is the fiancé of Irene’s niece Robin. He is moving in with Robin per her request although she insists it stay a platonic relationship until they are married. “Dave’s not really excited about that but he’s willing to give it a try,” laughs Keith. Of the couple, Dave is the grounded one. His love of Robin far supersedes his comprehension of her. He understands her hesitation to get married based on the divorce history of her family, but he keeps trudging along convinced he can change her mind. When Hogan, the landlord, throws himself in the middle of their relationship, Dave is determined not to allow Hogan to divide and conquer. “It’s Ricky and Lucy!” Keith describes the relationship between Dave and Robin.
Robin Austin, played by Jill Ethridge, is a complex character in her own right. She seems at times air headed and unrealistic but yet she is very intelligent. Unfortunately paranoid about the divorce history of her family she subjects Dave to test after test including moving in with her to prove his love and stability. Convinced that if they can live together in a platonic, loving relationship, then they will survive the test of time, she talks Dave into moving in under these conditions. During the course of the play, however, she finds herself more and more physically attracted to Dave.
Her naïve ideas cause her to think her Aunt Irene is over zealous with her warnings about Hogan. “I think it’s something that everyone will enjoy plus it’s just absolutely hilarious,” states Jill about the show. “And it’s very hard to keep a straight face on stage!” As far as the play-taking place in the 60’s Jill is convinced that today’s generation will “get it” even more. “It [divorce] wasn’t as common back then. I think that it might hit home more with today’s generation than it did then. It’s [divorce] a very common thing now and more people can identify with that.”
Making a cameo appearance as a male cab driver is stage manager Linda Fullhart. “I’m really excited to work on this play! It’s very fun very tongue in cheek,” Linda explained.
When you come to see Under the Yum Yum Tree at Runway Theatre, you will not feel like you are just sitting in the audience of yet another play. You will feel like you are actually sitting in on the live taping of a 1960’s television sitcom. This will be an experience like none you’ve had before. The set easily accommodates the constant action and fast pace of this comedy. From Irene’s accentuated body language to Hogan’s “say anything” approach to life combined with Dave and Robin’s banter you are certain to walk away from this one feeling great and laughing for days.
Under the Yum Yum Tree runs May 22nd through June 7th at Runway Theatre, 215 North Dooley Street, Grapevine, TX. You may purchase tickets online at runwaytheatre.com or by calling 817-488-4842. Doors open one hour before show start times of 8:00 pm on Friday and Saturdays and 3:00 PM on Sundays.
