From now until opening night on Feb. 2, the Livingston Post will be profiling the cast members of the Community Theatre of Howell’s Production of “Squabbles.”
Gloria Towns has had plenty of great roles on the Community Theatre of Howell stage, but it’s doubtful she’s had one that’s as flat-out funny as her latest one, playing Mildred in “Squabbles.”
The play pits a father-in-law against a mother in a comedic succession of squabbles. It’s essentially a sitcom on the stage. Jerry Sloan is a successful writer of advertising jingles married to an equally successful lawyer. Living with the happy couple is the not so happy Abe Dreyfus, Jerry’s curmudgeon of a father-in-law. Abe is a funny guy to the audience, not to Jerry.
The situation is exacerbated when Jerry’s mother Mildred (Towns) loses her house in a fire and needs a place to stay. Abe and Mildred can’t stand each other. This play is one hilarious confrontation after another until the heartwarming finale in which the oldsters discover that really, each is not so bad.
Gloria Towns, who lives in Fowlerville with her husband of 40 years, Gary, has two daughters and two granddaughters.
Here’s a closer look at Gloria Towns:
How did you get involved in CTH and what shows have you been involved with in the past? What are some of your favorite roles from the past, either with CTH or other groups?
Because I was driving from Fowlerville to the Renaissance Center in Detroit each day when I was working, I wasn’t able to participate in CTH. However, the year after I retired, I dipped my toe in the CTH water and was immediately sucked in.
My first role was as Clairee in “Steel Magnolias,” my first time on stage in 35 years. Since then, I have been fortunate enough to perform in eight other CTH productions, including the roles of Cookie in “Rumors,” Twink in “Dearly Beloved”, Golde in “Fiddler on the Roof” and Hannah in “Spitfire Grill.”
These roles have challenged me physically (as in the dance scenes for “Fiddler” – tough for someone with two left feet) and mentally, and I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to meet and work with new people.
When you’re retired, as I am, your social circle has a tendency to shrink, and it becomes very easy to hibernate in the comfort of your home, particularly in these cold winter months.
Being involved in a theater production gets you up off your butt and out of the house (my husband is very grateful for CTH). It gives you the opportunity to do something different (each play experience is unique), strike up new friendships and meet some amazing, talented people.
What do you most enjoy about doing shows with CTH?
Working on “Squabbles” has been a blast. I really like my character, Mildred. She has been through some tough times in her life and that has made her a survivor and given her a little bit of “bite.”
Her counterpart, Abe, played by Brian Bickel, may be a tough old curmudgeon, but Mildred can hold her own, and the exchanges between the two are a hoot to perform. The other characters and the crew are lots of fun to work with and very talented, and I look forward to rehearsals each night.
What can audience members expect when they see the show?
It’s tough getting old and finding yourself being cared for by your children. In “Squabbles,” Abe and Mildred find themselves, at least temporarily, in that position. Abe’s cantankerous and judgmental personality (picture a slightly watered-down Archie Bunker) results in lots of squabbling and hilarious scenes.
Some people say when you get old, you no longer have to worry about what you say or do or what people think about you; you don’t have to compromise anymore. Ha! You still have to compromise…it’s just a whole lot harder when you know you’re right.
The Community Theatre of Howell’s production of “Squabbles” takes the stage Feb. 2-4 and 9-11 at the Howell High School Freshman Campus, 1400 W. Grand River Ave. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday each weekend.
Tickets are $13 for adults, $11 for students and seniors, available at Finding Roots in Howell, Maria’s School of Dance in Fowlerville, Big Acre in Brighton, and Ed Bock Feed and Stuff in Pinckney. Tickets are also available by calling 517-545-1290, or online at cththeatre.org. You can buy tickets by clicking here.
