Making Plans Through The Ages - "Making God Laugh"

“All the world’s a stage,” says William Shakespeare. It’s likely you’ve seen or read this phrase somewhere (especially if you’re a subscriber to our newsletter!). But have you considered the speech that comes after, which some refer to as the “seven ages of man?” This is a monologue from As You Like It (Act 2, Scene 7), and it breaks down the life of a person, as you may expect, into seven ages: the infant, the schoolboy, the lover, the soldier, the justice, the pantaloon, and a second childishness. Our upcoming production doesn’t touch on all of these ages, but you do get to see a great deal of them, and many of them from both sides - the parent and the child. For this production, we talked to the women of the cast, BevVan Phillips, who plays Ruthie, the mother, and Brandy Hall, who plays Maddie, the middle child and only daughter. We asked them about how they relate to their characters, what family traditions are important to them, and what they have learned from doing this play. 

“Ruthie loves her children with every fiber of her being, and she wants the very best for them,” says BevVan. “And because of her own childhood and experiences, she strove to create a perfect family. When they were children, she was very involved, celebrating every holiday and every achievement to the max. Their success or failure is her success or failure. However, over the years, her desire to do what was best for her children warped into what felt more like a requirement that they do what she thought was best for them. When her children naturally try to lead their own lives, she can’t help but take the rejection personally. Ruthie also considers her husband, Bill, to be her very best friend. While she doesn’t feel comfortable with physical affection, she loves him very much. He keeps her grounded and keeps her desire for perfection in check.”

Brandy says, “Maddie is the typical middle child. Struggling to be heard and accepted for who she is, even if she hasn’t figured out who she is.” When it comes to relating to your character, Brandy feels a strong connection. “There are certainly moments of the play where becoming Maddie feels exactly like something I’ve gone through,” Brandy says. “But that is the beauty of this play. I think we’ll all find some moment from each character that we can relate to.” 

BevVan agrees, “Similar to Ruthie, I love my children deeply. I show love by giving gifts, preparing bountiful food, and celebrating the holidays in a big way! However, unlike Ruthie, I believe that, as a parent, I had the job of preparing my children to leave home and live lives of their own. I didn’t decide the best course for them. Until working on this play, I hadn’t thought about that in years.” 

A lot of the show “Making God Laugh” focuses on family celebrations and traditions, so we asked how these ladies celebrate! “We have traditions for every holiday!” Brandy said. “Cranberry sauce in the shape of a can for Thanksgiving, trivia on Christmas, hats for St. Patrick’s day, the list goes on! It’s been great passing these down to my own family. And now that my boys are grown, I think we all have a tighter grip on those traditions. No matter if the tradition is sweet or annoying, we cherish them all!” 

“One that my children liked, “BevVan added, “was celebrating Birthday week instead of just a birthday. The week might include a party with friends, a family adventure, getting to choose meals or what to watch on TV, things like that. When I started the tradition of opening a gift on Christmas Eve, where I ensured the present they opened was new pajamas so they’d look nice for Christmas morning pictures, that didn’t go as well. They caught on after a year or two, and that was voted out!” 

Traditions are carried through the years, and at times even from one generation to the next. The show “Making God Laugh” spans 40 years, starting with the family's children as young adults and following each member of the family as they grow up and grow old. 

BevVan enjoys the challenge of playing the same person for that 40-year span, and seeing how she changes. “As an actor, there is a challenge to look and move naturally as years go by in the play, but the transition time is minimal in real life. I hope we manage to do it for our audience. For me, an inadvertent bonus has been some reflection about myself as I’ve prepared for the show.” 

Brandy is discovering things about herself as she’s worked on this show. “Being a part of this production has been life-changing,” she says. “I’m seeing so much of my youth through Maddie’s eyes, but seeing the kids through Ruthie’s eyes, and now I’m starting a new chapter of life with older parents… It’s been downright therapeutic! This show is going to be one of my favorites! It may even rival Steel Magnolias!” 

Our stage manager, Danielle Thies, also wanted to share her thoughts on the show and how it has already affected her. “I have the unique privilege of watching this story come to life night after night, and it never loses its impact. This family may not be your family, but everyone will recognize a character, a conflict, a life moment that feels deeply familiar. You truly believe you are watching a real family grow and change before your eyes. In rehearsal, we laugh constantly, but we have also found ourselves tearing up during the more emotional moments. This show will make you feel. At its heart, it reminds us that families are complicated. We frustrate one another, make mistakes, and cause pain. But we also love, forgive, and show up for one another. It’s a reminder to cherish the time we have with the people who matter most.”

Ruthie has a plan for her life and her kids, and struggles to hold on. Her kids have a plan for their lives, and struggle to keep things on track. But, as the old saying goes, if you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans. 

Making God Laugh has performances on May 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, & 10. Tickets are $25. Shows start at 7:00 on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and 2:00 on Sundays. The concession stand will open 1 hour before the show starts, and the house will be open for seating at this time as well. Get tickets at lofte.org/tickets

William Shakespeare’s Seven Ages of Man:

All the world’s a stage,

 And all the men and women merely players;

 They have their exits and their entrances,

 And one man in his time plays many parts,

His acts being seven ages. At first the infant,

 Mewling and puking in the nurse’s arms;

 And then the whining schoolboy, with his satchel

 And shining morning face, creeping like snail

 Unwillingly to school. And then the lover,

Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad

 Made to his mistress’ eyebrow. Then a soldier,

 Full of strange oaths, and bearded like the pard,

 Jealous in honor, sudden and quick in quarrel,

 Seeking the bubble reputation

Even in the cannon’s mouth. And then the justice,

 In fair round belly with good capon lined,

 With eyes severe and beard of formal cut,

 Full of wise saws and modern instances;

 And so he plays his part. The sixth age shifts

Into the lean and slippered pantaloon,

 With spectacles on nose and pouch on side;

 His youthful hose, well saved, a world too wide

 For his shrunk shank; and his big manly voice,

 Turning again toward childish treble, pipes

And whistles in his sound. Last scene of all,

 That ends this strange eventful history,

 Is second childishness and mere oblivion,

 Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything