(COVER PHOTO: Katie Mack and Issa Best in a scene from "Betty & The Patch," which runs through July 24, 2022 at the Majestic Theater in West Springfield. Photo: Lee Chambers)

By Kevin T. Baldwin 

METRMAG Reviewer

# 774-242-6724 

“Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt.” William Shakespeare

The Majestic Theater of West Springfield

Presents 

An Original Play

"BETTY AND THE PATCH"

Written and Directed by Danny Eaton 

Cast Includes: Christine Anthony, Katie Mack, Issa Best, Brad Shepard, Michael Graham Morales, John Thomas Waite (also starring Pua as "Woof"). Understudies Include: Linda Storms, Valerie Vaile, Joel Gladu, Liam Toner, Rick Malone.

Performances:

June 9, 2022 thru July 24, 2022

(Contact Box Office for rescheduled dates and times)

Tickets range from $31-37 and can be purchased at the box office or by phone at # 413-747-7797.  

All audience members must be fully vaccinated and wear masks inside the theater.  

Majestic Theater, 131 Elm Street, West Springfield, MA 01089 

"Betty and the Patch," from Producing Director Danny Eaton, debuts as the final show of the Majestic Theater of West Springfield's 2021-2022 season and it is a thoroughly charming little eccentric "slice of life" comedy-drama.  

According to Eaton, who both wrote and directed the play, the locale of the story, "The Patch," is based on a real "simple out-of-the-way" restaurant, one with a "reputation of having food that’s good and plentiful, with the privacy that makes it ideal for intimate get-togethers." 

The events in the play are fictitious. However, the emotions conveyed by the characters in the piece come across as 100 percent authentic.

"The Patch" restaurant has been run by Betty Borelli (Christine Anthony) for years, but a recent kitchen fire has forced a shutdown. 

Betty is also a veteran cancer survivor who, in addition to restoring and re-opening the restaurant, must now also face the added daunting, grim challenge of a "return" cancer prognosis. 

Resolved to reopen the restaurant, Betty has asked her successful attorney daughter Cristina (Katie Mack) to come back home and help. She also enlists the aid of her longtime ward, Bobo (Issa Best), knowing his feelings of unrequited love for Cristina. 

Betty pushes each of them not to be afraid of taking chances on love after reflecting on the impact of years and her own inability to take such leaps due to her doubts and insecurities. 

In her plan to get the two together, Betty sees the opportunity to ensure both the restaurant’s future and the future of the two people she loves most in her life.

(PHOTO: Katie Mack and Issa Best in a scene from "Betty & The Patch," which runs through July 24, 2022 at the Majestic Theater in West Springfield. Photo: Lee Chambers)

While sounding like the standard plot of a Lifetime cable movie, it is the quirky eccentricities of Eaton's well-defined characters that set the story apart from such bland, generic movie fare.

It is also the fine performances by Anthony, Mack and Best which help to keep us engaged throughout the story.  

We also meet several people from Betty's past who re-enter her life unexpectedly and, as a result, long held secrets are revealed. 

Technically, there are no real "villains" to the piece, no hard core antagonists. The only character that comes closest would be Cristina's boyfriend, Michael (Michael Graham Morales), who has traveled to "The Patch" to convince Cristina to return with him, not knowing any details surrounding Betty's condition. 

Yet even Michael's motives are coming from of a genuine place of love and concern for Cristina and any jealousy he feels threatened by her relationship with Bobo is not really unwarranted.

With no actual antagonist (save the cancer), one might feel a significant lack of drama or conflict. That is not the case here, again, thanks to the well-developed characters and their execution by the performers.

Other standout performances include Brad Shepard as "Joey" and John Thomas Waite as "Andy" two pivotal figures from Betty's past who have come to her aid after the fire. 

It is not clear why "Joey" looks to have raided Run DMC's wardrobe closet as his overall rural demeanor doesn't seem to jibe with his character's more urban street vibe appearance. However, this was a very minor detraction which otherwise did not diminish the performance. 

One must also give praise to the work of Pua as Betty's dog, "Woof," who instantly stole the spotlight from anybody while any time on stage.

(PHOTO: Michael Graham Morales and Katie Mack in a scene from "Betty & The Patch," which runs through July 24, 2022 at the Majestic Theater in West Springfield, MA. Photo: Lee Chambers) 

The set design of "The Patch" restaurant by Greg Trochlil is a master class in adding fine details from the rustic signs of the establishment to the dead autumn leaves strewn about the base of the "building" façade. 

There is not one inch of wasted space on stage. It makes us feel as if we are travelers stopping in and observing some of the folks that frequent this charming locale somewhat off the beaten path.

The play runs through July 24th and, after a prolonged pandemic shutdown, certainly ends the Majestic's return season on a high note, leaving us anticipating their autumn return with the musical "Mamma Mia" kicking off their 2022-2023 season!

Approximately two hours with one intermission

Kevin T. Baldwin is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA)  

@MetrmagReviews 

@Theatre_Critics

COVID-19 PROTOCOL

On September 1, 2021, the Majestic Theater staff met with the West Springfield Health Department, and the following COVID-related guidelines are now in place at the Majestic:

• Face masks are mandatory while attending performances at the Majestic Theater or visiting the box office to buy tickets to provide further health and safety protection to our patrons
• Patrons must provide proof of vaccination upon entering the Majestic Theater by either showing their vaccination card or an image of the card on their cell phone
• Face masks may be removed when eating or drinking in the Majestic Café
• No food or beverages may be brought into the theater
• If any patron is unwilling or uncomfortable in adhering to this policy, the Majestic Theater will refund the cost of their tickets.  Refunds cannot be transacted at the time of the performance

This standard, Majestic officials noted, is the same as the one put into place by all theaters in Boston, Hartford and Broadway.  In addition, all Majestic staff, performers and production crew have been fully vaccinated. 

ABOUT THE MAJESTIC THEATER

Locally-produced professional live theater since 1997

Before it was a live theater, local residents may remember the Majestic Theater as a movie house. It has since been renovated and reimagined to bring live performances to the West Springfield area, giving local performance and technical artists the opportunity to thrive. Every season at the Majestic consists of five productions (including at least one musical) featuring local actors. In addition to the subscription season, the summer includes children's theater, concerts, plays, open mic nights, and improvisational comedy shows. Recently named the best place to see live theater in the Pioneer Valley in the Valley Advocate Readers' Poll, the Majestic continues to offer great theater thanks to the support and generosity of its 4200+ subscribers.

Majestic Theater

131 Elm Street

West Springfield, MA 01089 

# 413-747-7797

www.majestictheater.com