Theater Review—

‘Old Friends’ In An Antique Inn Creates New Warmth For Annual Theater Banquet

By Julie Stern

REDDING RIDGE — It’s that time of year again. Halloween has passed, the election is over, the turkey has been cooked for the Pilgrim holiday, and despite the dismal economic forecasts that tell us nobody is going to be buying anything for a while, we are entering upon the Christmas season.

Thus, The Spinning Wheel Inn, on Route 58 in Redding Ridge, is continuing its tradition of Theatre Banquet revelry, with a staged holiday musical performed in the center of the dining room, between the courses of an elaborate meal.

For 29 years now the restaurant has introduced these festivities in late November, with a new show each year, featuring a rotating cast of professional actor-singers. This year’s offering is the newest work of Karen and Peter Randazzo: she wrote and directed the play, he provided music and lyrics for songs to supplement the traditional holiday favorites like “White Christmas” and “Jingle Bell Rock.”

Set on Christmas Eve, Old Friends centers around Leslie Gray, a recent divorcee about to face her first Christmas alone after her husband of 25 years dumped her for a “Barbie Bimbo.”

Hoping to put some holiday spirit into her mother’s sad situation, her daughter Meg arranges a surprise party welcoming Leslie home from the cruise she has just gone on (in an attempt to cheer herself up). Right before Leslie gets home, Meg arrives with a bag of Christmas decorations, and arranges for three of her mom’s closest neighbors to show up and celebrate. After all, they are old friends, and that’s whom you need at times like this.

Unexpectedly, however, when Leslie arrives, she is no longer sad. Nor is she unaccompanied. With her is a charming stranger she met on the boat.

Meg can’t handle this new dynamic, and she isn’t at all ready to accept a new man in her mother’s life. Can this problem be resolved? What do you think?

The four course meal and performance — soup, salad, a choice from among three entrees, and dessert — takes about 2½ hours, with the three acts of the show built in.

The talent of the six performers is unquestionable; their voices are charming and their comic skills are well honed. The ambiance of the old inn, with its large fireplaces and creaking wide board floors (and reputed ghost in residence) is warm and comfortable.

As an entertainment, this is well suited to groups of friends who want an afternoon or evening out, enjoying something they don’t get to do very often.

(Performances continue until December 30, with matinee and evening shows most days. Call 203-938-9080 or visit SpinningWheelInn-CT.com for details.)