Tragedy marked with irony is a staple for the dark comedy genre and The Marriage of Bette and Boo tickets give theater-goers another show to experience in this group. The story is narrated by Bette and Boo’s son, Matt. He takes the audience through a journey from his parents wedding to their dissolution more than 20 years later. Boo is a drunk and Bette is neurotic woman who has had successive devastating stillbirths.
No better is the rest of Matt’s family. His grandparents on his father’s side include a man who is completely absorbed in work and loathes his wife. His mother’s sister is certifiably insane. The town priest can’t even inject hope into his congregants and seems more like salt in the wound than a band-aid. Matt brings in his take on many of the events and shows how a young man can reconcile living in such an environment. The subject matter may seem depressing, but the fast-moving, 33-scene show adds ironic and comic commentary to keep the plot seeming surprisingly light and make The Marriage of Bette and Boo tickets worth a night out.
The show is written by accomplished playwright Christopher Durang. He has a large body of both plays and musicals including History of the American Film, Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All For You, Baby with the Bath Water and Laughing Wild. He has acted in a few of his productions as well as others and has worked with stars like Sigourney Weaver and Julie Andrews. He also has appeared in movies like The Secret of My Success, The Butcher’s Wife and Housesitter.
Kate Jennings Grant plays Bette and has been on Broadway in Poof and An American Daughter as well as Off-Broadway productions like Radiant Baby and Summer of ’42. She has been on TV in shows like Cold Case and Law & Order and movies like United 93 and When a Stranger Calls. Christopher Evan Welch takes on the role of Boo and has appeared in shows like Romeo and Juliet, The Crucible and Much Ado About Nothing as well as been on TV and in movies like The Stepford Wives. Charles Socarides plays their son Matt, and his credits include The Missing Person, Old Money and Indian Blood. Other members of the cast include Heather Burns, Victoria Clark and Adam LeFevre.
The Marriage of Bette and Boo explores deep-rooted issues than many families will have to face at some point. By framing them as just part of life, this production lets the audience easily connect with characters. See it yourself with The Marriage of Bette and Boo tickets.