Bluewater Playhouse cranks up the hilarity with hysterically-funny "Stag and Doe"

If you enjoy watching a play that is fast-paced, hysterically-funny, and full of wild, zany, crazy and over-the-edge moments, get a ticket to "Stag and Doe," now playing at the Bluewater Summer Playhouse in downtown Kincardine.

And get your ticket now, before this show is sold-out because it's a sure-fire hit.

"Stag and Doe," which opened Tuesday night to a well-deserved standing ovation, tells the story of two couples trying to share one community hall. Bonnie and Brad have booked it for their stag and doe, but then Mandy and Rob come tearing in, seeking another venue for their wedding reception after their tent blows away in a tornado.

As if that isn't enough (upset bride-to-be meets Bridezilla), add into the mix the fact that Bonnie's maid of honour, Dee, was dumped at the altar by the groom, Rob; and Jay, the caterer, has just discovered that his entire wait staff is in jail.

It's a a mecca for mayhem and that's exactly what happens.

The entire cast is stellar in this riotous romp toward marital bliss.

Elena Post as Mandy the bride, is absolutely fantastic, switching from sweet and sugary to borderline lunacy in the blink of an eye. Mandy gets so crazed that her perfectly-planned wedding has gone awry, that at one point she is crawling across the table in the kitchen screeching at the top of her lungs, and then she pulls off her veil, removes the train from her gown, and is prepared to battle all comers.

Hallie Seline is tremendous as Dee, Bonnie's best friend, who was jilted by Rob, who is now getting married to Mandy.

You may want to bring a notebook to keep everything straight.

Dee has the best lines, comparing men to Jello-shots: "The more booze you put in them, the longer they take to get hard!"

At one point, Mandy screams at Rob not to see her before the wedding because it would be bad luck - and Rob obediently turns around - to which Dee drolls, "Good boy!"

Also taking the stage are Laura Harding as Bonnie, Daniel Krolik as Brad, Neil Silcox as Rob, and Cam Laurie as Jay.

The show, written by Mark Crawford, plays like a well-written situation comedy, as people come in and out, see things they shouldn't, attempt to make things better only to make them worse. The timing is perfect as things spiral out of control, only to land neatly at the end. And if you want to know how this wild, zany show ends, you'll have to get a ticket and find out.

Praise to director Ralph Small, Bluewater Playhouse's artistic director, for perfectly staging this wonderful play.

The show continues tomorrow night (Aug. 17), Friday (Aug. 18), Aug. 22, 23, 24 and 25 at 8 p.m.; Saturday (Aug. 19) and Aug. 26 at 9 p.m.; and Aug. 23 at 2 p.m.

Tickets are available in person at the Bluewater Summer Playhouse Box Office located in the arts centre at 707 Queen Street, Kincardine, or by calling 519-396-5722. Select tables are also available for purchase on-line at www.bluewatersummerplayhouse.com.

Next summer will be Bluewater Summer Playhouse's 25th season, and the plan is to open with "The Full Mounty," directed by Small.