Theatre 40 in Beverly Hills has an amazing original production about three sisters clearing out their homestead where they grew up since their mother’s passing. It’s called “April, May & June” – and yes, those are the names of the three sisters. Produced by David Hunt Stafford with a very concise cast the play was artfully directed by Terri Hanauer. Terri gave this very real and earthy script about real sisters and their feelings about each other, their father and especially their mother, an incredible warmth and passion that makes you feel like you are as invested in them as they are in each other. I loved this production and especially really enjoyed the performances of these young actress as I had a real sense of family and familiarity between them.

Written by Gary Goldstein, who brought a sense of camaraderie and family to these words, makes a very bitter-sweet experience very heartfelt and honest. With a one-room set as designed by Jeff G. Rack, this play is all about story and character. These three sisters, named after the months of the year, give you every emotional chord you can think of. From painful to joyous, from angst to eagerness, from scathing gossip to wild, from serene memory conversation to broken dishes – it’s a real story about real sisters and the losing of their home and the revelation of what they didn’t know about their parents.

Jennifer Lee Laks plays April who is the oldest sister and the one more serious and straightforward. The practical one with lists and very particular ways of doing things. A divorced mom, Jennifer envelopes this leadership role and self-appointed guardian of her sisters with so much passion that her frustration and even isolation are layered underneath and her performance is sincere and heartfelt as she deals with her own realizations about her mother and father. Jennifer is excited and willing to go the emotional rounds as her character must bond with her sister’s own issues and concerns. You could ‘feel’ her every passion and strength – just by looking into her eyes.

Jennifer Taub plays May who is the ‘middle’ child and suffers all the angst and repressions that a ‘middle child’ apparently goes through. She is a happily married mother and wife, but uses the ‘middle child’ as an emotional and psychological crutch that she proudly carries and backs up with studies all the time. Jennifer makes the performance smart and honest and although she’s got her insecurities she tends to call people out and force the reality of what and how things are. She has natural humor that sprinkles and only adds to this three-sister bonding as they must deal with their mother’s passing and the selling of the house – what’s left? A wonderful warm, fuzzy feeling of family.

Meredith Thomas plays June and she is the free spirit. The energy of the three and the one that doesn’t always edit her thoughts and as a result, tends to say exactly what’s on her mind! Oh, and being a lesbian, recently separated from her most recent relationship, she is spice, color, fun and clearly is set in her ways. Meredith plays the perfect rebel and often sees things with a very sharp edge and her amazing performance comes through when she feels and understands her sisters as she has never understood them before. A very touching and real performance.

Theatre 40, right in Beverly Hills, usually has something for everyone and this play, “April, May & June” is no exception. You’ll laugh, cry, get angry, get scared and even feel touched at how these sisters have survived everything thing thrown at them since their respective births. This is fun for the whole family.

Lorenzo Marchessi for The Geek Authority
March 20, 2017