RIDGEFIELD — The opening night of Tim Firth’s Calendar Girls at The Ridgefield Theater Barn was met with laughter, tears, and a rousing standing ovation. I would advise you to drop everything and order your tickets, pronto.

The best of everything about community theater is in this show.  The worst thing about community theater is that the runs are short. Do not miss this.

Under the awesome direction of Debbie Levin, these brave and beautiful women present themselves fully and completely for their cause and their friendship.  Calendar Girls is a story of women who stand toe to toe and still have each other’s backs when the going gets rough. 

Dear, sweet John, tenderly played by Steve Stott, is loved by all the women of the Knapely Women’s Institute (WI), the local church women’s group. He is however most precious to his wife Annie (Mindy Goff).

When John is diagnosed with a terminal form of leukemia, his slow dance with death begins as Annie clings more devotedly, and the women of the W.I. rally around them. Ring leader and tai chi enthusiast (of sorts) Chris, played by Jody Bayer, supports the couple throughout his tortured demise.

Cora, the vicar’s daughter, played by Beth Brandon, fortifies them with music as she fiercely tickles the ivories, while yearning for her runaway daughter. The older sage of the group, Jessie (Charlotte Camillos) is a former school teacher who embraces the group vibe and offers her wisdom.

Obsequious Ruth (Kelli Solomon) is the liaison between the playful, connected W.I. members and its rigid director Marie (the talented Mary Shuldman). The sardonic, swilling Celia ((Rosemary Howard) of the golf club and fancy clothes rounds out the W.I.

These ladies nurture each other as they laugh and cavort, making fun of fastidious and pious Lady Cravenshire and tease the guest speaker, Brenda Hulse, an expert on the history of the tea towel. Both roles are capably played by Cheryl Boyd.  

The cast is rounded out by several men who take on roles of photographers, and a husband. These parts are played by Eric Luther, Patrick Kelly and Timothy Harbolic. Each is engaging and professional. Melissa Ridenour plays a seductive make-up artist.

The tragedy of John’s death unites them in an effort to raise money, in his honor, to purchase a settee for the waiting room of the local hospital. Annie and Chris introduce the notion of co-opting the annual, boring calendar produced by the group to raise funds, and make a calendar of a decidedly different nature, a more female nature.  This is completed to outrageously hilarious effect by these strong and talented actors.

The success of the calendar sales causes discord. The sorting through of hurt and sorrow brings the women to a deeper level of friendship.

The performances are superb. Jody Bayer, as Chris is a skilled, educated performer. She brings a stunningly rich and layered performance.

Mindy Goff reveals her widowed character as a soulful woman in pain. She digs deep to find her strength. Ms Goff is a gifted actor.

Beth Brandon capably reveals Cora’s inner conflict between her responsibility as vicar’s daughter and the yearnings of a young woman. Keli Solomon’s Ruth is really, really funny as she finds the courage to partake in the calendar. 

Charlotte Camillos has created a character in her Jessie that every girl wants to be friends with, imbuing her with humor and sensitivity.

Rosemary Howard has been consistently first-rate in previous productions she has been part of, as she is here. Her Celia saunters her sophisticated self across the stage as she immerses herself in the group and its cause.

To a one this group exudes camaraderie and caring. The supporting cast does a terrific job.

Both the cozy, busy set of the church basement and the countryside have been excellently designed by Tim Huebenthal. The vast array of numerous costume changes, designed by Kitty Ridenour, enhances the atmosphere.

“The small incidents of life will expand to take up as much room as we let them,” declares the sagacious Jessie as she commits to dropping her kit for the cause. If you do not live large, your life becomes small.

This play shares a beautiful message of pride in our bodies as they age, friendship, purpose and pleasure.  It is a truly heartwarming and joyful night at the theater.

(Performances continue at Ridgefield Theatre Barn, 31 Halpin Lane in Ridgefield, weekends through October 3. Curtain on Friday and Saturday is 8 pm, and matinees on Sundays, September 20 and 27, begin at 5.

Tickets are $24 adults, $20 seniors, students and veterans.

Call 203-431-9850 or visit ridgefieldtheaterbarn.org for reservations or additional information.)