By Terri Hoover
When I think of summer my mind turns to sunny days, beach trips, the smell of suntan lotion, lawn parties, no school and plenty of ice cream. Since I have moved to Virginia from Texas, I have a new appreciation for summer and lawn parties. The days here in the valley may get scorching hot, but the nights are always pleasant. I have learned to pitch dimes, throw an axe and appreciate good music from the comfort of my lawn chair. Fireflies dancing in the fields and the sound of a ball hitting the bat at the nearby ballpark just make me smile. Family road trips in the summer are guaranteed to make memories that will last a lifetime. Throw in a nice ripe watermelon and my life is almost complete.
What might not immediately come to mind is theatre. However, the Off Broadway Players have been hard at work this summer on a fantastic romantic comedy – Sandy Toes and Salty Kisses. If you can’t go to the beach, we will bring the beach to you. The show takes place in a beachfront hotel lobby and brings all the joy of summer with it.
The Lovers’ Landing Beach Hotel, known for its mystique as the home of Sandy Toes & Salty Kisses, is a popular wedding destination that has recently been inherited by Audrina Brown. She quickly discovers that her Uncle Bubba, who has worked at the hotel his whole life, is running a variety of “extra-curricular enterprises” within the hotel. Arriving at the hotel are Beatrice Rutherford-Smith and her daughter Traci, along with her fiance’, Peter, to meet with Madame Coco, the hotel wedding planner. Unfortunately, Madame Coco has eloped, and the only staff member who knows anything about weddings is Uncle Bubba, who now has to spend the rest of the show alternating between being himself and impersonating Madame Coco. Add a flaky receptionist, mistaken identities, a mysterious guest and things just go from funny to hilarious.
The all-star cast includes: Lori Smilowitz, Zachary Trost, Mary Louise Johnston, Amber Miller, Jean Fiske, Seth Simmers and Ron Smith.
The question the audience will have to answer is: Is it true love or is it the mystique of sandy toes & salty kisses at the Lovers’ Landing Beach Hotel? There is only one way to find out. Make plans to head to Broadway at the J Frank Hillyard Middle School for one of our performances. The show will run June 28th and 29th at 7pm and June 30th at 3pm. Then again August 2nd and 3rd at 7pm and August 4th at 3pm. More information, including ticket prices, can be found at offbroadwayplayersva.org. See you at the theatre!
