Milwaukee Post
Issue link: http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/996995
Fireside's Church Ladies serve a fine 'Second Helping' By JULIE MCHALE Post Theater Critic FORT ATKINSON — The Church Basement Ladies are back to give us a second helping with their unique mix of humor and sentiment as they adjust to the many changes inherent in the Sixties decade. This group of faithful, hardworking, dedicated women who help out as needed in their Lutheran parish in rural Minnesota, under the guidance of their appreciative pastor, E. L. Gunderson, is a delight to encounter again. The same five charac- ters make up the cast, all of whom are just as memo- rable as they were when we met them last year. Pastor Gunderson, again played by Joe Lehman, is still his lovable, bumbling self, but brave enough to marry an Italian (frowned upon in this Norwegian communi- ty) as well as venture into guitar playing, bringing in inhabitants from foreign missions and visiting the wicked city of Minneapolis. Vivian, played this time around by Deborah Jean Templin, is an older woman, resistant to change of any kind, but amazingly still open to a new alliance with a recently-hired wid- ower, and the shift in atti- tude shows that she can budge a little if so persuad- ed. Mavin, this year played by Renee Claire Bergeron, gets the most laughs, as she suffers through the hot flashes of menopause, picks up the slack when her husband suffers his many injuries as a farmer, and keeps everyone on an even keel with her down-to- earth approach to life. Dawn Trautman returns in her role as Karin along with her daughter Beverly, played again by Laurie Sutton. They represent the required constant adjust- ments that must be made by both mother and daugh- ter as they each move on to the next phase of their lives — Karin as a recently widowed wife, and Beverly as the young daughter who is recently married and expecting her first child. Both are dealing with the unexpected but find solace in their strong bond with each other. All five characters are well-delineated, and all contribute to the merri- ment and wisdom of five solid Lutheran ladies of Norwegian descent in a decade famous for myriad transformations. The script deals with change and adaptation, stereotypes of both Catholics and Lutherans, the gap between genera- tions, country and city folks, and the characteris- tics of different ethnic groups. At times the jokes are clever, though some, a bit corny; the physical humor is well-rendered, especially by Mavin, and the audience obviously still enjoyed their second helping of this group of close friends, their joys and woes, their traditions and beliefs. The music isn't particu- larly stellar, but it is lively, well-executed and, at times, moving. I especially liked Sutton's rendition of "Cardamon, Cinnamon, Ginger and Clove," the rousing "Get Back in the Game" and the heartfelt "Tales of Your Heart." Props and costumes were well-chosen and reflective of the era, thanks to Rick A. Rasmussen and Robin Buerger. The play was well- directed by Director Ed Flesch and Musical Director Mary Ehlinger and choreographed by Doug Reed. ENTERTAINMENT "A Second Helping of Church Basement Ladies" The comedy runs through July 15 at the Fireside Dinner Theatre, 1131 Janesville Ave., Fort Atkinson. Call 1-800-477- 9505 or visit firesidetheatre. com. At a glance Submitted photo From left are Laurie Sutton as Beverly, Dawn Trautman as Karin, Joe Lehman as Pastor Gunderson, Deborah Jean Templin as Vivian and Renee Claire Bergeron as Mavis in the Church Basement Ladies sequel "A Second Helping" at the Fireside Dinner Theatre in Fort Atkinson. 14 • Milwaukee County Post • June 22, 2018 Are You Planning a Wedding? Southeastern Wisconsin's source for all things weddings. Featuring helpful articles and local wedding vendor information from Washington, Ozaukee, Waukesha and Milwaukee counties. AllThingsWeddings.net Visit our new website: In Our Feature, Weekly and Monthly Sections: • Dining Out • Mature Living • Southshore THE DEADLINE IS THE TUESDAY PRIOR TO PUBLICATION. WE PUBLISH WEEKLY. CALL TODAY! AFFORDABLE • WE HAVE LOYAL READERS • CALL NOW 260647148