Play paints family dynamics

Angelique Flores

Sometimes humorous, sometimes emotional, “Painting Churches” at the

Huntington Beach Playhouse presents a peek into a family coming to grips

with one another.

The play, which opened last weekend, is a poignant story revealing the

underlying family dynamics between a gifted painter, her poet father and

his feisty wife.

Gardner Church (Gordon Marhoefer), a once distinguished poet, and his

wife, Fanny (Louise Tonti), are packing up to move out of Beacon Hill and

into their summer cottage in Cape Cod. Margaret “Mags” (Lorianne Hill),

who is their only child and a talented portrait artist, has agreed to

come back and help out only if they agree to let her paint them.

The trio finds themselves at a dramatic crossroads. Senility is getting

the best of Gardner, who can’t even remember why they are moving. Fanny,

running out of ways to deal with her husband, treats him like a child or

-- to Mags’ frustration -- just laughs at him. Mags must come to terms

with her aging parents, who have never acknowledged her artistic talent.

The cast presents a touching portrayal of the fictional Church family.

Mags is the independent artist still looking for approval from her

parents. Gardner is a loving, agreeable father and husband who tugs at

your heartstrings as you see him regress into childhood. Fanny, herself

aging, becomes a mother all over again to her husband.

The endearing couple brings audiences to laughter with their silly antics

-- feigning a serious expression when posing for their portrait, Fanny

giving up wearing a dress when she can’t get it over her head, and

Gardner wearing a sweater and two coats to keep Fanny from putting them

in the box for discards.

Still, the moment when Gardner is on the floor making paper airplanes

with his manuscript as Fanny and Mags look on in discomfort and distress

brings the family to an awareness of what each must be going through.

Written by Tina Howe and directed by Jill Forbath Roden, “Painting

Churches” is not a play for someone looking for an intricate plot or a

flashy ensemble cast. However, it will touch you through the sincere,

heartfelt characters who undergo the normal tribulations of childhood,

parenthood, growing up and growing old.

The play shows at 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays

through April 2. Tickets are $5 to $15. The playhouse is at 7111 Talbert

Ave., Huntington Beach, at the lower level of the library. For

reservations, call 375-0696.