L.A. Beat

What happens when the flames start to flicker  on a long time relationship?

 New West Theatre explores that in their presentation of  Michele Riml’s “ Sexy Laundry,” running at the Yates Theatre, Feb. 16-26.

 The comedy, about a couple trying to reignite the flames of their relationship brings two old friends together, Erica Hunt and Jeff Carlson.

 While Hunt is a regular on New West stages, Carlson was prompted back on stage after a long hiatus after reading the script.

“I read the description of the play that Kelly (Reay, director) put out. And thought ‘This is me’ It’s not often I get to try something that is a little more risqué,’” said Jeff Carlson, who plays Henry Lane.

“It just spoke to me. Being in a long term relationship for 27 going on 28 years, every line in this script is something me or my partner has said,” Carlson continued.

“It’s exactly that— about a couple trying to reignite their relationship. They’ve been together for 25 years and they got a book called  ‘Sex for Dummies’ to reignite that spark,” added Hunt, who plays Alice Lane, noting  Henry isn’t as into it.

“ But he’s trying the best he can,” Carlson added. 

“Usually I didn’t get to see a script that pushes boundaries like this one,” Carlson said.

“ It definitely has mature themes and bad  language. It’s for 16 and up. There’s no nudity in it,” Hunt said.

“Though we tried,” Carlson laughed.

“There will be a lot of wives nudging their husbands,” Hunt said.

“ But probably not a lot of husbands nudging their wives,” Carlson chuckled.

Carlson and Hunt have their own long-tern relationship, as they were both involved in forming the precursor to New West Theatre close to 30 years ago.

 They have been rehearsing  “Sexy Laundry” for almost two weeks.

The University of Lethbridge is excited to host  “A Dinner Party” in the University Theatre, Feb. 8-12.

 New West Theatre’s Kelley Reay directs this new production by Calgary playwright Christopher Duthie.

“This is only the third time it has been performed,” said Reay.

Faculty advisor and Drama Department faculty and production designer, David Smith brought the play to the fore.

“I was the designer for the premiere of this play three years ago with Bad Knaps Theatre in Calgary and Christopher Duthie and I were graduate students together as well. This is a great play for our students to work on,” said Smith in a press release.

 “As theatre practitioners we are storytellers, and the set, although uncomplicated, provides important context where the action unfolds.”

“ I love this play , because it starts out as a dinner party but it takes off in an unexpected direction. There really is something in the that will appeal to everyone,” Reay enthused, noting “ Dinner Party” is about four friends who haven’t seen each other in a long time.

“It really subverts your expectations,” he said.

“It‘s what happens when four old friends come together,” he said.

The cast includes Kacie Hall as Boo, Danielle Baker as Darling, Carter Debusschere and  Claire Smith as Sweetie, the newest addition to this group of friends.

“She ’s really a lot of fun. She’s 10 years younger than the rest of them. She brings a lot of chaos,” Smith enthused.

“She’s kind of a granola, yoga girl. She’s a hippie but also very down to earth,” she said, adding she has enjoyed working with the cast since rehearsals began in the first week of January.

“ We’ve become really close and our characters are all extensions of our personalities,” she continued, adding the play has adult content including some profanity.