AMHERST - By the time women reach the age of menopause they usually have a good idea of what to expect, but sometimes the ‘Unexpecting' happens.
‘Unexpecting' is the name of a new play being staged by the Amherst Comedy Troupe beginning Friday night at the Wandlyn Inn in Amherst.
Barb Bowes plays the leading role of Peg, a woman approaching the age of menopause who learns she is pregnant.
"Peg's a perfectionist. She's the housewife that lets nothing get out of place," said Bowes. "I'm always predictable until I'm not feeling so good, and once I find out why I'm not feeling so good I pretty much unravel."
A large supporting cast surrounds Bowes.
Her husband is Alex, played by first time actor Andrew Fisher.
"I'm the stereotypical husband looking for the path of least resistance," said Fisher. "He was enjoying an empty nest but that changed and got derailed."
Peg and Alex have three grown children, one of which still lives at home. Her name is Kate and Jenn Siddall plays her.
"I'm one of three grown up kids but I'm the only one who stuck around. The other two knew better than to stay," said Siddall. "My character has a young son and I'm the perfect know-it-all who knows everything. I'm more like my mom than I know."
Trish Jardine, also a first time actor, plays Peg’s best friend, Michelle, and Dale Fawthrop plays her husband, Stu.
Fawthrop says, "I play estrogen to her (Michelle's) testosterone, and I'm the Jack of all trades, master of none."
The play also features Simon Turner as a midwife who goes by the name of 'Jordan Kinlaw the Third.'
Turner says his character, "takes the family to a whole new dimension."
Kathy Legere, who has starred in many Amherst Comedy Troupe productions, is directing the play.
The first-time director says directing the play has been fun.
"It's a different perspective," she said. "But it's truly is a team effort."
Legere said she recently read a quote that says, "‘when was the last time you did something for the first time.'
"It's always important to try new things, and being a director gives you a different perspective on the play," she said. "You're still involved but you don't have to remember lines."
Deb Ryan, a first-time playwright, wrote the play.
"We started with the script, which is a starting point only, and then it builds from everybody's characters and what each person thinks the characters are going to bring to the play," said Legere. "It's always a group effort but every group needs a team leader and that's where it comes down to the director."
The play runs for four nights at the Scotia Room at the Wandlyn Inn beginning this Friday and Saturday.
The second two nights are March 8-9 at the same location.
Doors open at 7 p.m. and the play starts at 8 p.m.
For more information or for tickets call 667-3331.
dmathieson@amherstdaily.com
