'Charming Billy' lives up to its name

Ruth Bloom (Teri Jett) is living in a whirlwind. She's campaigning for a seat on the city council. She also volunteers at an orphanage and at the humane society. Her husband, Ned (Mike Craig), is the absent-minded inventor of such items as the self-cleaning eyeglasses he calls Peeper Sweepers and the Expando Cracker, a biscuit that makes you feel perpetually full. Ned is so preoccupied with his work that he isn't exactly listening to everything his wife says on the fly. Some wives and husbands in the audience might be able to identify.

"Charming Billy" is a cleancut, family-oriented comedy based on the little marital misunderstandings that so easily turn into catastrophes -- like jail. The two-act comedy will be presented tonight and Saturday night by the Starcatchers community theater in Jackson.

Ruth wants to adopt a dog named Billy (a cute little muffin named Goldie). Ned thinks she said she wants to adopt a boy named Billy. Much more confusion ensues, including a complaint of animal abuse and an outrageous scene in which three of the actresses have a good reason for painting themselves red.

The play's two teen-aged girlfriends, Melanie Bloom (Becky Koeller) and Cheryl Clark (Christa Barton), add a bit of boy trouble to the mix in the person of Jason Hanover (Andy O'Neal in a small role). Both Koeller and Barton charm in the parts.

Jett and Craig are both fine as the Blooms. Ned not only can't remember to match his socks, he can't match his shoes. Craig captures this ditheriness nicely.

Rich Behring plays Jack Tomlinson, Ruth's shady opponent in the city council race, with energy.

Charla Meyrs does a good job as Chris Wilkens, a reporter for the Southeast Missourian who gets caught between Ruth Bloom and Jack Tomlinson.

Rhonda Clark-Ross is a staunch friend as Ellen Adler, the kind of neighbor who brings over a quiche and defends Ruth against Tomlinson.

La Donia Beggs is the officious Mrs. Furley, the humane society worker who eventually brings the Blooms very good news.

The play is ably directed by Marty Koeller.

sblackwell@semissourian.com

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