‘Father of the Bride’ will debut Friday

WASHINGTON — The Washington Community Theatre’s rendition of “Father of the Bride” starts its run Friday night.

Director Lynn Loula said the pick of such a familiar show was intentional, an effort to repeat the success of recent musicals that leaned on already famous works like “Mary Poppins” and “The Wizard of Oz,” both of which drew sold-out crowds.

“The challenge is, how do we get them to come to the non-musical plays,” Loula said. “There have been three, now, versions of ‘Father of the Bride,’ … and it seems like people only really want to come to something if they’re already familiar with it.”

While she said it could be frustrating to work within the box of preestablished titles, Loula added that she hoped the decision would get more of the community engaged.

Such a performance requires that actors walk a fine line. While it follows the same basic structure as any film adaptation of the story, Loula said the play had some key differences to keep things fresh.

“The trap, if you do something that’s been a movie, is people come and think it’s going to be just the same as the movie, and it’s not,” she said. “It’s going to be our production.”

Starring in the show, as the father of the bride himself, Mr. Banks, is Vern Miller. Playing alongside him are his three sons.

Miller said he recognized the irony of such casting for a show about the complex emotions of fatherhood.

“It’s been super fun, but yeah, some of the frustrations that Mr. Banks has, are some of the frustrations I have,” he said. “It’s kind of fun seeing that mirrored, and I get to be pretty demonstrative.”

Aidan Miller, (19,) plays the Banks’ soon-to-be son-in-law. He said he felt good about acting alongside his father and brothers, Wade (12) and Alec (10,) thanks to an already-established chemistry between the group.

Wade agreed.

“I’ve never really done a play with my dad before,” he said. “He’s been backstage helping, but I’ve never really done this much with him, and it’s fun doing that.”

“Father of the Bride“ runs Oct. 13, 14, 20 and 21 at 7:30 p.m., and Oct. 22 at 2:30 p.m. at the Washington Community Theatre. Tickets are $6 for students and $12 for adults.

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