Stage Review: This Father of the Bride Is Funny and Wedded Bliss

Father of the Bride
Maverick Theatre
Fullerton, CA
Through Feb. 16, 2008
4 teaspoons of Bosco

Review By Allen Bacon
Editor
Bosco: The Blog

I always liked the Father of the Bride series, the movie version, with first Spencer Tracy and then Steve Martin and Diane Keaton. The trials and tribulations of George Banks, the father, is a perfect primer on how "not to act" if and when my 26 year old daughter ever decides to get married.

My main lesson out of all this is just to let my daughter and her mother call all the shots and be quick with the pen and checkbook...and don't even think about it or question it. This is what I learn from George Banks.

So, it was with pleasure that I watched the live version of Father of the Bride which opened on Fri. Jan. 11 at the Maverick Theatre in Fullerton, CA. I needed a break from the esoteric type of plays I had been watching and just sit back and laugh at the simple things in life...like planning for a wedding.

First of all, you are greeted in the lounge area of the Maverick Theatre by a real "Wedding Singer" who is fantastic. This guy belts out wonderful renditions of Sinatra and Crosby and other traditional songs you would hear at a reception.. Once inside the small theatre, where there isn't a bad seat in the house, you are treated to fine performances across the board.

George Banks is played flawlessly and convincingly by Rick Franklin who gives you the sense that he's been through this before. The daughter, Annie, is played well and I think the actress is cuter and acts better than the young lady in the movie. Wonderful comedic timing by the rest of the cast makes for an evening of laughs and fun.

This play runs until Feb. 16. Reservations are highly recommended. www.mavericktheatre.com