Maude and Gloria are en route from London to Scotland, on the occasion of Gloria’s marriage to Christy. Maude (Gloria’s Aunt) and Gloria are from London, urbane and used to finer things. Maude is none too pleased with the arrangement, perhaps she feels her niece could have done better. She’s not thrilled with the destination for the wedding. Christy greets the two, accompanied by John. John is the house manager and a family friend. Christy, in effect, John’s ward. As soon as Gloria and Christy reunite, they’ve got moves that would make acrobats proud, and they’re not coming up for air. As arrangements proceed, Maude is not exactly the ideal house guest. She seems to think her custodial duties entitle her to weigh in on every decision. In her defense, Scottish customs might feel, uh, a bit exotic. But c’mon. It isn’t polite to forbid kilts and bagpipes at a Scottish wedding.
From here, things take a turn. A friend has put up a baby girl for adoption and Gloria is dead set. The friend lives in San Francisco and what with one thing and another, John and Maude must make the journey to the Colonies, dealing with the paperwork, legalities and procedures and proper care for the wee lass. To say they squabble over everything is like saying boxers love to cuddle. Things only escalate when they’re subjected to close proximity.
Ken Ludwig is the theatre world’s dream. His first two hits were Lend me a Tenor and Crazy for You. He has written 34 plays and musicals; won Tonys, Drama Desk, and Laurence Olivier Awards (among others). Many of his pieces are popular in repertory, and it’s easy to see why.
Ludwig takes what might be considered traditional plots and does so much more than we might expect.
Be My Baby premiered at Houston’s Alley Theatre in 2005, starring Hal Holbrook and Dixie Carter. It takes the crazy, impetuous young lovers, but makes the husband reserved. Then he takes the feuding “in-laws”, but their animosity isn’t always played for amusement. The comedy of Be My Baby is decidedly more organic. Similar to Neil Simon, there are moments of despair and anger, that make the humorous episodes only that much funnier. It’s so much more effective than scripts that turn on the laff machine. Be My Baby is more sophisticated by far. More polished and original and absorbing.
Rachael Lindley directs a brilliant and versatile cast. Be My Baby has a demanding script, not dealing in stock characters, taking unexpected directions. The performances are invariably intriguing and authentic. Ivy Opdyke as Maude is touching and surprising, harried but gradually tender and affectionate. Her warmth is truly memorable. Matt Gunther as John, is contentious and testy, his raspy, tortured predicament at once hilarious and charming. When we see his softer side, it’s nearly a shock, but his humanity is vibrant and nuanced.
Richardson Theatre Centre presents: Be My Baby, playing August 8th-31st, 2005. 518 West Arapaho Road, Suite 113, Richardson, Texas, 75080. 972-699-1130. richardsontheatrecentre.net