Something’s Weird in Weeki Wachee
Something’s Weird in Weeki Wachee
By John Ryan
Directed by Christian Kelty
Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, Orange Venue</strong>
It takes a bit of stage craft to put a whole underwater show on stage, even in a capable space like the Orange Venue. John Ryan mashes up Old Florida with Grey Gardens and we meet the famous mermaid sisters Pandora (Elizabeth Murff) and Patricia (Peg O’Keefe). They’ve retired and are holed up in a moldering cracker house and surviving off pickled vegetables and old memories. Charlie (Ryan) shows up one day, broke and looking for work and the sisters take him in. He is young and healthy and they need some help, and surly he can bide by one simple house rule: “Never look in the pantry.” That’s where the pickling operation operates, and it’s obviously a big trade secret. John keeps running into dashing Money (Ryan Dowd Urch), he’s the big mystery and the reason for the season in the pantry. But the story isn’t as important as the gags, this is a joke a minute experience fueled by great writing, great direction, and some of the funniest gals in Orlando.
This production is part of the 2014 Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival. Information on tickets and show times may be found at http://OrlandoFringe.org/
