Review by Nicole M. Robertson
For WeLoveAnnArbor.com
It’s said there’s an unbreakable bond between sisters. Sometimes that bond is built of anger and resentment.
For “Norma and Wanda” — in its 20th-anniversary production at The Purple Rose Theatre in Chelsea — there’s a paper-thin bridge over the chasm between these sisters.
In this twisty comedy, Norma (PRT resident artist Kristin Shields) is frantically decorating for Christmas while making peanut butter balls for her church’s upcoming Baby Jesus Memorial Brunch and periodically calling for her missing cat, named Pussy.
Well, you can imagine what comes out of a woman’s mouth when that cat is missing.
While all of this is going on, a hungover, disheveled Wanda (Jamie Elvey of Okemos) is ranting to her sister about her husband’s betrayal — five years ago, Norma points out — with rage triggered by having been stood up last night by an old ex-boyfriend who’s “hung like Florida.”
It’s no wonder Norma would rather focus on her preparations than give full attention to her potty-mouthed drama queen of a sibling. Especially when Wanda describes hiring an acquaintance to get even with her date. And now she needs Norma to give her $500 to pay for this nefarious service.
Norma’s also in a hurry because she needs to go buy pork fat and renderings for her husband’s homemade Christmas sausage. She wants Wanda to leave, but Wanda is expecting Paulie, her fixer, to meet her there after doing the deed. Norma quickly writes a check for Wanda, insisting that she be gone by the time Norma returns — and most definitely before her husband, Mel, gets home from work.
Of course, none of this goes as planned. When Paulie arrives, not only is Norma back from the store, but Mary Sue Thornberry (Kate Thomsen ?) has arrived with the good news that Father Harvey wants 2,000 more peanut butter balls for the church brunch.
When charismatic Paulie (Henrí Franklin of Detroit) arrives, he describes following the boyfriend, Dutch, from his place of employment to Norma’s church, where he took a tire-iron to Dutch’s head and, uh, well … he’s out in the trunk of Paulie’s car.
“I wanted you to send him a message!” the horrified Wanda exclaims. She just wanted him beat up a little. And now, all three women are implicated in a murder. At Christmas time!
Worse, Paulie looks at Norma’s check and scoffs. “I told you I’d do it for five!” Seems this check is missing a zero. And he wants the five large. Now.
What follows is a bawdy food fight with “Cherry Wink” cookies and peanut butter balls flying. Mary Sue lands legs-up in an overturned Lazy-Boy, seemingly impaled in a private place by a 3-foot-tall sequined Christmas tree.
Norma’s husband, Mel (Matt Bogart, in his Purple Rose debut), arrives in the middle of an “It’s not what it looks like!” situation. The frantic ladies pretend to act normal. They’re just making peanut butter balls for the Baby Jesus Memorial Brunch, Norma exclaims.
Mel’s pissed to learn that Norma didn’t get the renderings for his secret-recipe Christmas sausage. And that’s when Wanda gets a bright idea to solve the problem in the trunk.
To reveal more would do disservice to audiences who will howl with laughter at every turn of the story.
If you go: “Norma & Wanda” was written by Jeff Daniels and is directed by PRT veteran Rhiannon Ragland. It contains adult language and subject matter that may be unsuitable for children younger than 13. The show runs through Dec. 21 at The Purple Rose Theatre, 137 Park St. Chelsea. For tickets or more information, call 734-433-7673 or visit purplerosetheatre.org.
Next Up: The world premiere of “The Classic King” by Richard Johnson, directed by Jeff Daniels runs Jan. 29-March 8. Tickets are on sale now.
All photos by Sean Carter Photography
