“Separate Beds,” the Lompoc Civic Theatre’s current dinner theater production, uses comedy to comment on the nature of marriage. By following two couples on a cruise, the audience is set to thinking about what makes a good marriage, where passion in a relationship is found and what are valid reasons for ending a marriage.

First we meet Twink and Ernie, who are supposed to be celebrating their 40th anniversary, but who spend most of their time squabbling.

Of particular issue is a young couple, Blake and Beth, with whom Twink and Ernie had dinner: Twink sees the couple as a paragon of romance and passion; Ernie sees them as self-involved bores who flaunted their successes, making him feel like a failure for owning only one hardware store.

Does Ernie’s perceived lack of success and Twink’s feeling that their relationship lacks passion mean it is time to call it quits?

In Act 2, Blake and Beth enter the scene with Blake trying to woo a distracted Beth with a lavish anniversary gift. As they interact with each other, and with Twink and Ernie off stage, throughout the following scenes it becomes clear that they have issues as well: Beth begins to question Blake’s motives as well as her own. Do they really want the same things from their marriage?

Each couple feels that the other’s relationship is somehow better. But is it?

Ultimately, each couple not only discovers the truth about that “green grass,” but also that the clich/ about appearances being deceiving is

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also true.

Though none of this sounds funny, Maryjane Cruise’s script manages to find the humor and the humanity in these four people, keeping the audience laughing throughout. For instance, one can’t help laughing at Twink when she picks up a copy of “The Titanic” to read herself to sleep after she has put a life-preserver on before getting into bed.

The actors all do a terrific job with their parts, displaying impressive comedic timing. Mike Callahan has the most wonderfully expressive face, bringing Ernie and his thoughts and feelings to life, often without saying a word.

Noel C. Shields’ Twink moves from concern about the sinking ship to nagging Ernie about vitamins to adoration of her grandson in such a fluid manner, that it is easy to believe in Twink and Ernie’s 40-year marriage.

Nicole Barnick as Beth skillfully reveals the depth of her character as the play moves forward. This allows the audience to dislike Beth’s shallowness at the beginning and to sympathize with her misplaced dreams at the end.

Blake, in all his scheming ways, is brought to life by David Pera who charms the audience at first with Blake’s song-filled devotion to his wife, and then in a reversal with Beth, becomes less sympathetic in his unswerving focus on making money above all else.

Adding to the charm of the play were the songs that played between scenes. Songs such as “Feelings” and “She’s a Lady” were not only pleasant diversions, but also seemed to touch on thematic issues in the following scenes. They also worked to entertain during frequent costume changes.

The elegantly decorated room at the Village Country Club, including swiveling chairs good for viewing play, made for an intimate setting for the relatively small audience of 35 to 40 people.

Round tables and a no-host bar made it easy for conversations to get started, allowing strangers to become acquaintances during the buffet dinner served prior to the show.

Though the dark meat chicken was moist, and I heard someone say the vegetarian eggplant parmesan was good, overall the meal was on the bland side. However, the salad was a lovely bowl of spring greens rather than iceberg lettuce, and during the intermission a tasty mousse dessert was served.

Overall, it was a delightful evening, the highlight of which was the very skillfully and amusingly acted “Separate Beds.” You won’t be sorry you went.

INFORMATION:

“Separate Beds,” Lompoc Civic Theatre’s dinner theater production, plays April 12, 26 and May 10. Cost is $35. Reservations are required. For tickets and location, call 735-2281.

Amanda Brooks can be reached at 737-1056 or abrooks@lompocrecord.com.