Good old-fashioned romance

BY BONNIE BARTHAKUR

If you miss the bygone days of a Katherine Hepburn-Spencer Tracy style of witty banter and sparkling dialogue, then Chapter Two is the play for you. It runs at Hudson Village Theatre until July 29.

In fact, a whole hour into the play and you will be enjoying the ride on this roller coaster of clever quips until you begin to think to yourself: where exactly is the conflict here? Not to worry. In the second half of the play conflict rears its ugly head, with virtually no warning.

George and Jeannie are two unhappily single souls, he recently widowed, she recently divorced. Both are subjected to relentless matchmaking by a well-intentioned brother and friend, respectively. Needless to say, George and Jeannie do eventually meet and how they meet is actually zany, cute, and yes magical — a throwback to the aforementioned Hepburn and Tracy banter-filled romances. Our lovely couple has chemistry and connection and everybody is happy. There are, however, some oh-so-tiny allusions to George’s difficulty in getting over his first wife, but nothing that the love of a good woman can’t cure, or so we’re lead to believe, especially when George pops the question to Jeannie. This is a couple you just can’t help rooting for, after all they’re just so bright and funny — enjoy the intermission because the second act is when things take a turn for the worse, almost inexplicably. Suffice it to say, George comes back from the honeymoon a changed man.

Bruce Dinsmore and Leni Parker are terrific as the two leads, as are Cary Lawrence and Don Anderson in their supporting roles as the meddling cupids with an entertaining subplot of their own.

Chapter Two made its debut in 1977, so some cultural references may seem dated, like when Jeannie’s friend Faye complains that men with their shirts wide open and gold necklaces showing are a real turn off.

For Seinfeld enthusiasts, the impassioned speech from the movie-version of Chapter Two referenced in the episode The Letter is delivered in the second act when Jeannie pleads with George to give their relationship a chance.

Overall, this play is an enjoyable attempt at a good old-fashioned romance.

Dean Patrick Fleming is directing the play, which runs until July 29 at Hudson Village Theatre. Call the box office at 450-458-5361 or check www.villagetheatre.ca.