Victorian players ‘Life With Father’ delights audience

By Eric McCrea

entertainment@vindy.com

Youngstown

The Victorian Players delighted the audience Friday night with the premiere of their most-recent production, “Life With Father.” This autobiographical play written by Clarence Day Jr. in 1935 is about an upper-middle-class family struggling with houseguests, ledgers, hand-me-downs, and maids, in late 1800s New York City.

Tom Smith plays Father, the gruff patriarch of the Day family who runs a tight household. Vinnie, played by Dawn White Rogers, is a doting mother of four boys with a weakness for shopping. Once she learns that her husband has never been baptized, she sets out on a mission to get him into heaven.

When Cousin Cora (Stephanie Sarrach) arrives with her gal pal Mary (Chloe Housteau), Father becomes more agitated, and eldest son Clarence Jr. (Hunter Thomas) becomes smitten. However, a suit he’s recently acquired from his father’s wardrobe prevents him from making a good first impression. When second son John, played by Vinnie Dragos, stumbles upon a money-making scheme, Clarence Jr. joins his endeavor in order to buy a brand-new suit. It doesn’t take long for Father to catch on and get his household back on track.

Tom Smith shines as the show’s lead. His portrayal of the family’s breadwinner is reminiscent of a 1950s sitcom dad. This is fitting because “Life With Father” later spawned a film and subsequently a 1950s sitcom.

Rogers is the perfect counterpart as a sweet and caring mother, even if her logic doesn’t always hold up.

Brittiani McNeil is impressive as a one-woman parade of maids who can’t seem to last more than a day. She makes each one unique.

Sarrach and Housteau add the right amount of dainty mischief with a flair.

Monica Beasley-Martin is delightful as the cook, Margaret, but her brief stage time leaves the audience wanting more.

Thomas and Dragos have great chemistry and add the perfect amount of mischief to the show, in a boys-will-be-boys sort of way.

Also worth mentioning are Johnny Dragos as Whitney and, in his debut performance, Patrick Blystone as Harlan. The pair add a unique charm to the entire show.

Director Gerri Jenkins assembled a fine cast and delivers a classic piece of Americana with a story that feels very familiar.

Stage manager and scenic designer Erik Dragos delivered an ambitious set for The Vic, and it paid off.

There were a few opening night glitches and some awkward scene changes, but after working through harsh weather and illness, the entire cast and crew should be proud of their work.

“Life With Father” runs today and next Sunday at 2 p.m. and Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. For reservations, call 330-746-5455.