[ June 21, 2023 ] REVIEW of Tater Patch Players production of 'Independence Day At Happy Meadows' By Laura King

Crazy, happy, fun! Shirley, Betty, Mary, and Holly are always looking for entertainment in the nursing home with their shenanigans. Fourth of July just offers another opportunity for some special plans.

Holly (Betsy Robbe) is the schemer. Mary (Kerry Rosewall) is the debutante. Betty (Sherri Stoney) is the opposition of the debutante. While Shirley (Deb Grecol) is the crazy happy fun and forgetful inmate at Happy Meadows. Together the ladies make their plans to outwit Nasty Nancy, the Director of Happy Meadows, aka the first time director Phyllis Zerkle.

And keep your seats when delivery guy Gus (Sonny Sellers, also a first timer) enters the scene. He steals it while mild mannered Mary changes her personality!

Opening night at the Tater Patch theater proved to be truly an entertaining production with first timer, Betsy Robbe, playing Holly the homesick granny. While Sherri Stoney thoroughly enjoys playing the salty Betty who clashes with prim, proper, and truly Southern Miss Macon Mary wonderfully played by Kerry Rosewall.

Sherri keeps the cast straight with her never miss a beat improvisations or is that truly the lines? One can't really tell with a bunch of older ladies with mayhem on their minds! And look out for Miss Red, White, & Blue sweet Shirley, artfully played by Deb Grecol. Just don't say she's crazy.

Folks come on down and have a truly enjoyable perfect pre-fourth of July celebration with the lovely ladies at Happy Meadows, the questionable Director, Nancy, who is trying to keep order, and Gus, the innocent or perhaps, not-so innocent delivery driver with a heart of gold and knot on his head!

Be sure to take note of all the supporters of The Tater Patch Players without whom this play and many before and after could not happen!

Purchase tickets online at www.taterpatchplayers.org or at the box office. The remaining dates are June 23, 24, 25, 30 and July 1 and 2. The Sunday shows are 2 PM matinees. The rest are at 7:30 PM.

The theater is located at 95 Philadelphia Lane in Jasper. If there are questions, please email the troupe at taterpatchplayers@gmail.com and leave a contact number and someone will get in touch.