Lusting for laughs? Check out Sex Please! We're Sixty

Love Potions have always been the stuff of titillating comedies, usually spoofing the randy sex fiends of all ages.

In St. Albert Theatre Troupe’s second dinner theatre production of the season, Sex Please! We’re Sixty, it’s the senior crowd, the silver foxes that are satirized.

Playwrights Michael and Susan Parker set the play at Mrs. Stancliffe’s Rose Cottage Bed and Breakfast. It’s a quaint setting that attracts return guests year after year.

Her next-door neighbour is Bud the Stud and down the street is Henry Mitchell, a retired chemist developing a blue pill called Venusia to stimulate a menopausal woman’s libido.

Enter three older women: Victoria, a romance novelist with a dry romantic life; Charmaine, a southern belle whose libido goes full throttle, and Hillary, a friend of Henry’s that agrees to test Venusia.

However, when Bud’s Viagra gets mixed up with Venusia, the hot flashes, mood swings, weeping and irritability kick off. And it isn’t the women.

Global TV weather specialist Kevin O’Connell, equally at ease on stage as behind the camera, is stepping behind the lights to co-direct with Mark McGarrigle.

It’s his first-time co-directing after playing lead roles in Lafferty’s Wake, Looking and Same Time Next Year.

“It’s an opportunity to do something fun. I don’t have to do have to be on stage or memorize lines. Mark and I have known each other for a long time and we work well together. Mark is very good at visualizing the big picture and my strength is voice and presentation,” said O’Connell.

One of the challenges as co-director was finding the characters’ centre and providing direction to the actors.

“They’re a great group as diverse in reality as they are in the play, and they have good experience, both in life and on stage.”

Joanne Poplett as Mrs. Stancliffe heads the six-character show.

“Joanne is perfect. She pulls off the officious, very organized methodical character. Jo is a rock. She’s a great contrast to Bud who just flies off the cuff.”

He adds that Colin McGarrigle as Bud, is the director’s uncle.

“It was the luck of the draw. Colin has a natural sense of humour and is impeccable in the role.”

Equally efficient is Brett Hammerlindl as Henry, the inventive chemist.

“Brett has a scientific mind-thought that is proven and tested. He’s a direct contrast to Bud.”

Lori Chenger as Hilary provides one of the play’s surprises. Hilary has enjoyed a past relationship with Henry, and has done a great job of maintaining herself.

“She’s educated and vain and wants to come off being more sophisticated than she is.”

Anne Marie Smyth as Victoria has had a history of downward spiraling romances and gets caught in a trap.

“She gets involved and just wants to help people.”

And Rita Jensen as Charmaine is the in-your-face southern belle.

“She’s Blanche Devereaux (Golden Girls) on steroids. Rita’s whole approach is like that. Throw in an accent and that makes her so much fun to watch.”

Who ends up with who is anyone’s guess at this point.

“It’s a great night out. The food is fantastic and it will leave you feeling good about yourself.”