Cactus Flower

Reviewed by Jeff and Mary Beth Gudewicz

Editor’s Note: I met Mary Beth in Hilary Blair’s Voice Over class last fall. We reconnected at a voice over meeting at the Guitar Store in January when she told me she was in The Parker Arts Council’s production of Cactus Flower. Because of the short run, it was impossible for to schedule a time to critique it. Little has been said about the Parker Arts Council, and I felt it deserved attention. Even though the show ended its short run last weekend, I asked Mary Beth if she would write a review for Colorado Backstage as a member of the cast, and she graciously accepted, not only for herself but also with, her husband’s assistance. She and Jeff love writing together.

Back Row: Arthur Martinez, Mike O’Neill; Middle Row: Cathy Strode, Carol Petitmaire, Jon Diack, Liane Adamo; Front Row: Doug Tisdale, Mary Beth Gudewicz, Samantha Yon, Cliff Sebrar

Jeff and Mary Beth Gudewicz are Parker, Colorado residents. Jeff has had roles in The Odd Couple, Rumors and You Can’t Take It With You. Mary Beth has been involved with theatre for eight years acting, directing and producing. She has also been involved with film and voice-over work locally. In their spare time they also love and spending time with their daughter, Isabel.

It is an honor for me and Colorado Backstage to include her review … Holly

The Parker Arts Council theatrical performance of Cactus Flower, under the direction of Carol Petitmaire, was a charming, humorous, well-directed interpretation of Abe Burrow’s play.

The play opens up with Toni Simmons (Samantha Yon) attempting suicide by turning her gas stove on. To her rescue comes Igor Sullivan (Cliff Sebra) a young, aspiring writer who lives next door to Toni. We come to find out that Toni is deeply in love with Julian Winston (Doug Tisdale), a dentist, who is married.

When Julian finds out Toni has tried to commit suicide, he immediately races over to her apartment to check on her and finds out she is indeed alive. In his worry he proposes to Toni who then questions what he is going to do with his wife. Julian tells her he is going to divorce her. Toni says she wants to meet her to make sure she is fine with them getting married. Julian panics, as he is not married. He created that lie so that he would never be tempted to marry Toni or she him.

Julian goes back to his office to ask his shy, spinster assistant, Stephanie Dickinson (Mary Beth Gudewicz) if she would pose as his wife. After much persuading, she agrees to go meet Toni at the record store because of her secret love for Julian. Toni immediately likes and admires Stephanie, just as Stephanie realizes how much Toni loves Julian. A bond is struck and the play then leads us down a road of comedic twists and turns as we watch Julian struggle to cover his lies while at the same time growing to love Stephanie, Toni’s realization that her true love is Igor, and Stephanie’s transformation from a spinster to a beautiful cactus flower.

The attractive, divided set designed by Al Bruno, Carol Petitmaire and Dean Ladany along with the reminiscent 8-track hits woven throughout takes you back to the early 70’s. Toni’s apartment captures her quirky personality with the bright colors and eclectic pieces throughout. The contrast of the sterile, professional dentist’s office captures the essence of the two lives of Dr. Julian Winston.

The colorful group of ensemble characters added the perfect balance of humor and charm to the unfolding love stories.