WTC presents dramatic comedy Making God Laugh

The Whitefish Theatre Co. presents its first Black Curtain theatre production of the 2022-2023 season with “Making God Laugh” by Sean Grennan. Called “a touchingly heartwarming family comedy,” Making God Laugh has performances on Sept. 10 and 11 at 7:30 p.m. at the O’Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish.

As Woody Allen famously quipped, “If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans.” Such is the inspiration for this gem of a comedy that follows a family over thirty years’ worth of holidays. Starting in 1980, Ruthie and Bill's grown children – a priest, an aspiring actress and a former star football player – all return home, where we learn of their plans and dreams as they embark on their adult lives. The “empty nest” parents also contend with their own changes, as old family rituals and dubious recipes are trotted out, causing ancient tensions to flare. Over three decades of celebrations – Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Eve and Easter – we see how, despite what we may have in mind, we often arrive at unexpected destinations.

“I suppose this play is what they call in the world of television a ‘dramedy’ that combines the elements of comedy and drama to tell a story that feels true to the dynamics that ebb and flow in every family,” says Director David Ackroyd. “There are no villains and no heroes – just good people with good intentions whose lives are entangled by familial love and their individual needs; the children for independence and the parents for assurance that their offspring are living worthwhile, rewarding and productive lives, especially when it comes to producing offspring.”

Adds Ackroyd, “What I find best about this play is that the playwright has created five very distinct personalities who, despite their complex relationships, struggle to somehow remain true to themselves and to their family, something I think almost all of us can relate to.”

Cast members include Scott Plotkin as Bill, Nicki Corne as Ruthie, Stuart Green as Richard, Corey Burke as Thomas, and Sami Milne as Maddie. Viewers are reminded that as a Black Curtain production, there will be minimal staging, set and props and actors will be reading from a script.

Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students for all shows. Tickets can be purchased at the Box Office at 1 Central Avenue in Whitefish or by calling 862-5371. Box Office Hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and one hour before a performance. Individual tickets can also be purchased online at www.whitefishtheatreco.org. This show is sponsored by Steve Lull, Ellie Johnson & Paul Conrad, Lynn & Hal Trost, Linda & David Hunt, and Anonymous.