The Marriage of Bette & Boo

By: Ilyse Liffreing



“The Marriage of Bette and Boo” written by Christopher Durang and directed by Robert Rotenberry was performed by the Academy of the Performing Arts November 8-11. This colorful play is “a satiric black comedy that puts the fun in dysfunctional.” With arguing parents, dying babies, worrying siblings, and a preacher who does a good imitation of bacon, the marriage of Bette and Boo is never boring and hardly happy as they get older and all of Bette’s babies die. The only surviving child, the 1st of Bette and Boo, Matt, describes the cycle of hospital visits, fights, and problems that the entire family go through.

Superb acting skills dominate this play with Emily Weisenberger playing the determined and halfway crazy Bette Brennan. Her determination and strife really come through when she shouts to Boo and asks the preacher if she should have more children. Gianluca Randazzo as Boo Hudlocke is both believable and creative as the tired alcoholic father. Even with some stumbling with lines and volume issues, Eric Jones as the confused, frustrated young man portrays his emotions and facial expressions well.

As for the supporting cast, Jake Wells should be praised for playing the preacher, Father Donnally with refreshing humor, amusing body movements when he entertains the family with imitations of bacon and a kettle, and a strong Scottish accent. Katie Kopacz as Bette’s sister Emily and Marlene Yarosh as Boo’s mother Soot, should also be praised in making their roles entertaining and completely different from the norm. These actors definitely put the “fun in dysfunctional” for this production of “The Marriage of Bette and Boo.”



Although the setting did not have a thing to do with the play, it was bright and let the audience not lose attention for a second. The costumes were well planned and fit the theme very well. There were too many blackouts, but on the other hand, the short scenes that went with them covered the entire story and did not leave the audience in the dark, for the plot that is.

Overall, the cast and crew performed delightfully.