Dinner dates and laughs

Posted
Oct. 20-21

Imagine the worst date you’ve ever been on. Now, think about the most cringe-inducing part of that experience. That’s what you can expect from the Andromeda Community Theatre’s presentation of “Check Please.” The benefit is that you can enjoy the hilarity of the moments from the audience. The show is a combination of “Check Please” and “Check Please Take 2” by Jonathan Rand. Frank Boston, the secretary, treasurer, co-founder of the Andromeda Community Theatre and producer of the show, describes it as a lighthearted comedy. The story revolves around the protagonists who are looking for love or companionship but in “all the wrong places,” said the show’s press release. “Check Please” follows hopeful people looking for love as they navigate a series of bad blind dates, which includes a psychic, ‘grandma's’ bridge partner, a kleptomaniac and a pirate. Boston said the show’s goal is to have the audience asking themselves: Could the dates get any worse? Is there any light at the end of the tunnel? Thankfully, the show does provide the answers. “Anyone who has ever had a bad date can relate to our show,” said Boston. “I also play one of the bad dates, the guy who wants to be a pirate.” Authenticity is added to the performance because of the dinner theater’s setup. The layout of the venue at the senior center is similar to a restaurant, which the show effectively uses to transport the audience to the bad dates which the protagonists go through. “Because of the layout, they feel like they are a part of the show, and one of the actors is dressed as the maître d who seats the bad dates,” said Boston. The tickets to the show include dinner which has two choices of champagne chicken or roast beef along with Yukon gold potatoes, vegetables, salad, rolls and dessert. “The food they serve at the senior center is excellent adding to the appeal of the show, overall,” said Boston. But part of the draw is also the varied cast. The actors who are part of the Andromeda Community Theatre are from a variety of backgrounds with diverse experiences. “We have people who have been doing theater for 25 years, people who have just graduated from school and also people who are simply interested to be a part of the experience,” said Boston. “We don’t need experience, just enthusiasm.”As a promotional offer to celebrate the upcoming Sweetest Day weekend, one member of the audience at each show will win a rose gold and sterling silver heart necklace, donated by Carl V. Reck Jewelers with a retail value of over $100.

“It’s only a 25-minute drive from downtown Lansing and we have people from all ,over Lansing and East Lansing who are part of the show,” said Boston. “Audiences can expect a funfilled night.”

— Shruti Saripalli

“Check Please” Oct. 20-21 6 p.m. $30 Individuals/$55 Couples Eaton Senior Center 804 S. Cochran Ave., Charlotte (269) 262-1943 andromedaplayers.org

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