Community members gathered at Alhambra Theatre & Dining last Friday night, April 10, to witness the opening of “Morning After Grace,” a heart-wrenching comedy by local playwright Carey Crim that tackles love and loss in the later stages of life.
“It’s an exploration of grief, but it’s also using humor to get through grief,” Crim said when we spoke to her earlier in the month. “This play is my heart … it feels like one of my most personal plays.”
The show opens with main characters Abigail and Angus finding themselves in a rather compromising position, and later introduces Ollie, Angus’s neighbor. The trio are the only actors to grace the stage during its run, spotlighting the importance of their complex relationships and the underlying message of the show.
Through the highs and lows of each character’s journey, Crim’s themes of love and community ring true every step of the way.
“It’s never too late for a second chance, or a third chance even,” Crim said of her hopes on audience reactions. “It’s never too late to find love. People can change, and it’s in community that we do the most healing. I hope people laugh a lot and maybe shed a few cathartic tears.”
Though the role was originally written for famed TV and Broadway actor Randolph Mantooth, Angus is brought to life at Alhambra by Kevin Anderson, who is also well known for starring in countless films, TV and stage productions on Broadway.
Abigail is portrayed by Hillary Hickam, an Alhambra veteran, and Ollie is portrayed by Eugene Lindsey, who brings a stacked resume of former stage experience.
Crim herself was in attendance at the opening night of “Morning After Grace,” a rare occurrence for Alhambra Theatre & Dining. Attendees gave both the actors and the playwright a standing ovation at the end of the show.
Chef DeJuan Roy prepared an exciting dinner menu with appetizer options of curry chicken soup or antipasti salad, and entree options that included braised lamb shanks, chicken carbonara and more. Dessert options included a slice of double fudge chocolate cake or peach crumb cake.
“Morning After Grace” is playing at Alhambra Theatre & Dining now through May 10.
