The Shirley MacLaine-Debra Winger tearjerker was first a book by author Larry McMurtry (Lonesome Dove) in 1975. After the big screen adaptation in 1983, a stage production arrived in the UK in 2006. In 2016 an off-Broadway run starring Molly Ringwald as Aurora hit the US. 

 

City Park Players brings this highly relatable,  funny and touching story about the sometimes fractured bonds between mothers and daughters to Central Louisiana under the direction of Jill DuPont at the Hearn Stage Theatre in the Kress Building this week-end. 

 

Terms of Endearment tells the fictional story of mother and daughter Aurora Greenway and Emma Greenway-Horton as they face challenges in life and have their relationship tested, while showing resilience and strength in the face of adversity.

 

Johnette McNeal-Coco (Aurora) and Reade Spivey (Emma) immediately made me feel at home, from the emergency air freshener spray sesh from my teen years to the disapproving daughter glares from my girls’ teen years to the tight bond formed as both mother and daughter grew older. 

 

In fact, right before I headed to the show, I’d had my own heart-to-heart with my middle daughter Kelsey when she stopped by on her way home from work. Watching Aurora and Emma interact was like watching parts of my own life, my relationships with my mom as well as my girls. 

 

Spivey was so adorably vulnerable as Emma  that I found myself wanting to rush the stage and serve her husband Flap, played to misogynistic perfection by Dylan Boothe, a big pot of Medea’s hot grits every time he appeared. 

 

I probably should’ve been equally appalled at Aurora’s neighbor, the smarmy former astronaut Garrett, but Jim Weinzettle is so charming, he even makes a womanizing boozehound likeable. 

 

The scenes with Emma and her best friend Patsy (Claressa Nixon) lit up the stage with major girl power, from their pre- to post-marriage gabfests every woman will relate to. A girl’s gotta have her bestie at all stages of life. 

 

But ultimately, what it all boils down to when you take out the men and the friends, is there is an undeniable bond between mother and daughter that no time or distance can ever truly separate. McNeal-Coco and Spivey show the authentic bond between mother and daughter with warmth, humor, and most of all, relatability especially in the darkest times of life. 

 

Rounding out the cast are Jim Smilie (Dr. Maise), Luke Goudelock (Rudyard), Eli Grant (Doris), Kim Patton (Nurse), Lizzie Wright (Woman in Restaurant), and Carey Reister, Julia Dupont, and Maisie Wright (Voiceovers). 

 

The show runs September 26-29 and October 3-6 with Thursday, Friday, and Saturday shows beginning at 7:30 PM and Sunday matinees beginning at 2:30 PM. Special teacher discounts are available for Friday night shows and for the general public on Thursday night performances. 

 

Advance tickets may be purchased at cpptheatre.com. 

 

Jeanni Ritchie is a former City Park Player and lifelong theatre fan who cries during every curtain call, no matter the show! She can be reached at jeanniritchie54@gmail.com.