MANSFIELD — The touching comedy “Making God Laugh” follows a typical American family over the course of 30 years’ worth of holidays. The show will be presented April 26 and 27, May 3 and 4 at 8 p.m. and May 5 at 2:30 p.m.
The story begins in 1980. Ruthie and Bill’s grown children — a priest, an aspiring actress, and a former football star — all return home, where we learn of their plans and dreams as they embark on their adult lives.
The empty-nester parents contend with their own changes, too, as old family rituals are trotted out and ancient tensions flare up. As time passes, the family discovers that, despite what we may have in mind, we often arrive at unexpected destinations.
Written by Sean Grennan a playwright, lyricist, librettist, and actor who began writing for the stage as co-librettist for “Phantom of the Country Palace,” it was first produced by Marriott Theatre in Chicago in 1995 and was subsequently published by MTI.
His plays and musicals — most of them published by Playscripts, Inc. — have gone on to hundreds of productions around the world, including the U.S., Canada, Russia, Australia, China, the Middle East, England, Latvia, and Spain.
This version is directed by Lindsay Saltz.
The cast includes Suzanne Allen as Ruthie, Carl Hunnell as Bill, Matthew Crum as Thomas, Tony Baer as Richard and Haley Bedocs as Maddie.
The Mansfield Playhouse box office is open Wednesday through Friday from 1 to 6 p.m. Contact by phone at 419-522-2883. Tickets are also available online at www.MansfieldPlayhouse.com.
