ANNA MARIA –The Island Players’ production of Henry Dencker’s romantic comedy, “The Second Time Around,” tells the tale of a two widowers, Samuel (played by Mark Shoemaker) and Laura (played by Meg Newsome), who find love in their golden years and want to spend their remaining time together and make the best of what’s left of their lives.
But, this late-life romantic endeavor doesn’t sit well with their adult children and the other family members who try everything in their persuasive powers to stymie Samuel and Laura’s romantic desires.
As they try to come to grips with a romantic relationship they didn’t know existed, the adult children and their spouses are particularly appalled at the notion of Samuel and Laura “shacking up” without at least getting married first.
This premise sets the scene for the comedic interactions and interludes that ensue. The trouble begins when Samuel’s adult daughter, Cynthia, (played by Morgan Powis), pays a morning visit to the New York City apartment she grew up in and discovers a second coffee cup in Samuel’s living room. Much to her chagrin, there are traces of lipstick around the rim of this unexpected second cup and Cynthia is displeased to learn that her father is moving on from the passing of her mother and his longtime wife.
Cynthia’s interrogations are interrupted by the arrival of Laura’s maritally henpecked son, Mike, (played by Joseph Klens). Mike is equally upset to learn that his mother has found love again after the passing of her husband and his father – so upset that his “spastic colon” begins acting up.
Samuel and Laura’s love nest becomes increasingly crowded with the subsequent arrival of Mike’s controlling, domineering and micro-managing wife, Eleanor (played by Deirdre Dean).
Also joining the fray is Cynthia’s husband, Dr. Arthur Morse, a head-strong and pompous psychoanalyst (played by Scott Ehrenpreis) who’s as emotionally fragile as the patients he treats.
Accompanied by his attractive girlfriend, Angela, (played by Katherine Powell), Samuel’s sexually active college student grandson, Bruce, (played by Evan Bradshaw) also objects to his beloved grandfather’s intent to engage in romance without marriage.
Samuel and Laura may be outnumbered but they’re not outwitted; and in response to their family members’ emotional pleas and objections they have a couple tricks of their own up their seasoned sleeves and they remain steadfast in their amorous intentions.
“The Second Time Around” is directed by Island Players’ stalwart Preston Boyd and co-produced by Sato Real Estate.
The second to the last production of the Island Player’s 77th theatrical season is a heartwarming, funny and romantic reminder that life does offer second chances to those who have the courage and persistence to pursue them.
“The Second Time Around” runs through Sunday, March 29. The Island Players Theatre is located at 10009 Gulf Drive in Anna Maria. Tickets are $28 for adults and $18 for students. Tickets can be purchased online at www.theislandplayers.org and also at the theater box office. For more information, call the box office at 941-778-5755.
