“Exit Laughing” crackles with wit and warmth

7:30 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, May 28-June 6 at the O'Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish

On Stage

The Whitefish Theatre Company presents its final cabaret of the 2014-2015 theatre season with a production of “Exit Laughing” by Paul Elliott at the O’Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish. This hilarious, warmhearted comedy opens with a sneak preview night on May 27 at 7:30 p.m. Performances continue at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, May 28-June 6.

When the biggest highlight of your life for the past 30 years has been your weekly card night with the girls, what do you do when one of your foursome inconveniently dies? Southern ladies Connie, Leona and Millie do the most daring thing they’ve ever done. These friends “borrow” the ashes from the funeral home for one last card game and embark on the wildest, most exciting night of their lives. Complete with a police raid, a stripper, and a lot of laughs, “Exit Laughing” shows it’s never too late to seize the day. “It’s rare that people literally fall out of a chair laughing, but if it could happen, this would be the play to do it.” – Seattle Examiner

Director Scarlett Schindler calls this new play a real crowd-pleaser that’s almost guaranteed to lift your spirits. “While this play begins with three women reeling from the death of a close friend, the heart of the story is how this event makes them realize they haven’t been living their lives to the fullest,” says Schindler.

“With honesty and humor that is borne out of these strong female friendships, these women ultimately find ways to shake up their lives and get out of their routines, all the while showing their dedication to each other – even beyond the grave.”

Crackling with wit and warmth, “Exit Laughing” is the winner of the 2013 AACT New Play Fest and is set to open in New York in 2015. News Leader calls the script “hysterically funny”, while 417 Buzz calls the show “something special.”

The production features Erin Grayce as Connie, Penny Carpenter as Millie, Susi Kohler as Leona, Alice Finlay as Rachel, and Uriah Keller as Bobby. “This is a stellar group of actors with both familiar and new faces to the WTC stage,” adds Schindler. “This play has been so much fun for all of us. We have laughed until we cried exploring and getting to know these characters.”

Tickets are $20 for reserved table or mezzanine seating with food and wine available for purchase. Tickets for the sneak preview performance on May 27 are $10, and sold only at the door. Tickets can be purchased at the Box Office, 1 Central Ave., Whitefish, by calling 406-862-5371, or ordered online at www.whitefishtheatreco.org.