Vicki Pennock, Kimbrell Moorhouse, Carolyn Hogan, Megan McCormick, and Stephanie Larragoite Photo by Rhonda Sigler-Ware

A beautiful bride, Kari, replete with champagne flute, enters under a spotlight. Momentarily peaceful and serene, her tale of the doves release prepares us for the mayhem to come. Kari is played by two actors who alternate weekends. Xandra Michele had the honor the weekend I went. Kimbrell Moorhouse will perform next weekend.

Always a Bridesmaid by Jones Hope Wooten (Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope and Jamie Wooten) tells of four Southern belles who, on the night of their senior prom, make a pact to always be each other's bridesmaid. The play follows their lives through the decades as they have numerous opportunities to fulfil this promise.

As with all Jones Hope Wooten plays, much of the comedy comes from chaotic situations, and the hilarious Always a Bridesmaid stays true to this form. We see our characters navigate life, love, some bad romantic choices, always managing to "bridesmaid" at multiple send-ups of Southern weddings. Opening night's very appreciative audience found much to laugh at as the four main characters, with their own distinct personalities, show the enduring power of friendship despite myriad adult-life complications. Zingers such as "A streetwalker named desire" abound, and despite a couple of old, tired jokes (that the audience didn't seem to mind) the script is, on the whole, fresh.

Director Gloria Goodman chose her cast well. We meet Libby Ruth, played with great joy by Margie Maes (herself an alumna of many a Jones Hope Wooten productions, including Doublewide, Texas and Honkytonk Hissy Fit). Libby-Ruth, the Pollyanna of all things marital, is so happy in her own marriage she is convinced others will find the same. Then there is Carolyn Hogan's Monette, the riotous polar opposite of sweet Libby Ruth. Monette has practically dug an aisle channel, traipsing up and down as she has her friends on their last nerve. Carolyn has a marvelous time in this role, her wonderful comedic timing coming to the fore.

Deedra, played with appropriate determined intensity by Kim Monti, is headstrong and outspoken. Successful in her own right, Deedra becomes almost undone when she discovers her own marriage is not all she thinks it is. Megan McCormick's tree-hugging Charlie, replete with Birkenstocks, is the only single friend, and she vigorously clings to the bachelor life in her sweet and spirited manner.

Stephanie Larragoite plays Sedalia, the very put-upon wedding planner, and does she ever have a good time with her character. She is the comic relief in a cast of unintentional comedians as she refuses to accept defeat. In this post-COVID world, anything can happen and understudy Vicki Pennock waits valiantly in the wings in case she is called upon.

Costumer Rhonda Backinoff outdid herself for this production. Very well done. Set design and properties by Gloria Goodman and Nina Dorrance, respectively, are unobtrusive and appropriate. Light and sound by Riley Lewis went well with the exception of one glitch which bothered the cast not at all.

Always a Bridesmaid is well worth a visit. It's a lighthearted romp, though underneath all the belly laughs you will recognize the relatable themes of love, commitment, and continuous personal growth.

Always a Bridesmaid runs through March 30, 2025, at The Adobe Theater, 9813 4th St. NW, Albuquerque NM. Performances are Friday and Saturday 7:30 pm Sunday 2:00 pm. For tickets and information, please visit www.adobetheater.org or the box office.