Father of the Bride is a delightful comedy that captures the chaos and charm of planning a wedding from the perspective of Stanley Banks, a suburban dad whose world is turned upside down when his daughter Kay announces her engagement.
What begins as a “small, simple wedding” quickly spirals out of control as guest lists grow, expenses skyrocket, and the Banks household becomes a hub of florists, caterers, and last-minute crises. Stanley struggles to let go of his “little girl” while navigating the hilarity and heartache of wedding preparations.
Ultimately, the play is a touching reminder that amidst all the madness, family is what truly matters.
As a new community theater director who feels “orphaned” by her parents for spending too much time at the Putnam County Playhouse, I can’t help but relate to Stanley’s plight—though instead of wedding planners invading my home, it’s set builders and costume designers taking over my life.
Like Stanley, I’m learning to embrace the chaos with humor (and maybe a little caffeine), knowing that in the end, it’s all worth it for those magical moments on stage. Who knew directing could feel like planning a wedding—minus the cake? Well, there may be cake involved too!