Susan as Ida LeClair
It was comfortably air conditioned inside the theater, but the show onstage was hot! Down to the A&P, a new play by Susan Poulin and Gordon Carlisle, is now playing at the Footlights Theatre (Falmouth, ME) through August 23rd. I had never seen Ida LeClair, the Maine Goddess of Comedy (as described by a patron sitting next to me), but I am a stalwart follower of her shows from now on.
Created and performed by award winning Maine humorist, Susan Poulin, this show was 80 minutes of nonstop laughter, poignant moments of emotional recall, and a life lesson that “retirement is for people who don’t love their job” and Ida loves her job. And we loved Ida.
Ida LeClair is celebrating fifty years as a cashier down to the A&P, the only supermarket in Mahoosuc Mills, Maine, and she told us all about the eccentric locals and wacky tourists alike. Ida knows every funny bit of gossip and going ons at the A&P and we were invited to join her outside her double wide, creatively painted by Gordon Carlisle, to hear it all.
Maine actress and comedian, Susan Poulin, was a tour de force in the most subtle way. She embraced us with a warm and friendly verbal hug from the moment she walked on stage. You instantly felt like her best friend and confidant, as she shared story after story. It was pleasingly nostalgic as Ida reminisced about her job and the colorful locals.
The writing of Poulin and Carlisle made every moment hilariously familiar to the audience. We have thought these thoughts, known these people, and by the time the show was over, we wanted to live in Mahoosuc Mills. Poulin’s Ida made us feel like her new best friend.
My personal favorite moments included all the stories of A&P holidays. Those alone were worth the price of admission. Poulin masterfully brought to life a vibrant cast of characters: Debbie Hunter, the coupon queen; Claudia Peavey, the ever-contrarian ‘yeah, but’ lady; and beloved locals including retired police officer, Bobby Francoeur; the town librarian, Sadie Dupris; and Babe Delahunt, who runs the Busy Bee Bakery alongside her husband, Bud.”
I loved how Poulin created subtle vocal changes that gave each character a personality. She made you feel like you knew Sammy Phelps, the A&P bagger, and Annette Cyr, the other cashier. Although I had not seen previous Ida shows, I wanted to be an honorary woman who run with the moose, like Celeste, Rita, Betty, Dot, and Shirley. And without giving it away, I am an official Oompa Loompa, so sound the alert!
Director David Kaye checked all the directing boxes yet gave us a show that never felt staged, acted, or presentational. It was natural and unassuming, with an eye and ear for emotional moments that were delivered in a subtle but effective way. Kaye kept the pacing quick without feeling rushed. I can honestly say the audience did not want it to end.
The Footlights Theatre continues to surprise and entertain me, and this show is a shining example of why it’s going to be celebrating its 13th season in September. Yes, it is air conditioned. Yes, there is plenty of free parking outside the theater door. The cost is a very affordable $25 ticket price. Do not miss this show, it only runs Friday, August 22 at 7:30pm and Saturday, August 23rd at 2pm, but I think it should have been shown all summer.
The Footlights Theatre summer season also offers the 1960’s musical tribute, Feelin’ Groovy’ now through August 28 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 7pm. The Footlights Theatre is located at 190 US Route 1, Falmouth, ME. Box Office (207) 747-5434. Walk-ins welcome. thefootlightstheatre.com
As a reviewer who very seldom sees a show twice, I will be back with friends in August to visit with Ida down to the A&P once again. As Ida said at the end of her show, “Catch you on the flip side”!
Christina Koomen is a longtime professional theater reviewer from Virginia who visited Maine in 2020 and loved the Footlights Theatre show she saw so much; she has continued to write reviews of various productions when back in Maine taking care of her parents.