Submitted. It’s 1974, and the McGrath sisters are together again. Lenny, the eldest, has been holding down the fort in the family home. But now it’s her 30th birthday and instead of celebrating she’s dealing with her youngest sister, Babe, a naive sweetheart who’s just shot her husband, and middle sister Meg, who has returned from glamorous California with more baggage than just her suitcase. A story of familial love that will make you laugh as much as it will tug on your heart strings, Crimes of the Heart is an honest portrayal of sibling rivalry, love and strength.
Beth Henley’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play was written in the early 1980’s, and while the clothes are dated, the themes still ring true. Local director Randy Holmes brings this tale to Opening Nite Theatre’s stage with a talented cast of local actors. Susan Dearing, well known around town for her fantastic singing, as well as her annual portrayal of Fairy Naughty in the ONTS Panto, shows off her considerable dramatic chops as eldest sister Lenny, forced to do all the heavy lifting in the family, while her sisters Meg (played by Miranda Martin) and Babe (Katie Thompson) fall to pieces around her.
Crimes of the Heart runs April 24 to May 10, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Sundays at 2pm.
Tickets are $15, and available at www.openingnitetheatre.com, by email at ontstickets@hotmail.com, or by phone: 604-826-ONTS.
Opening Nite Theatre is at 33223 Railway Ave, across from the WestCoast Express Station.
Pictured: The sisters – Babe, Lenny and Meg (Katie Thompson, Susan Dearing and Miranda Martin)