'Always a Bridesmaid' shows the power of true friendship

Imagine if a promise made in high school lasted a lifetime, and everyone who swore on that promise would make sure it is followed through — no matter what.

Four lifelong friends explore the power of promises and the meaning of friendship in Adobe Theater’s presentation of “Always a Bridesmaid” running Friday, March 7, through March 30. The play follows the friends roughly 30 years after a promise is made to be lifelong friends and be in each other’s weddings, regardless of current circumstances.

“Some of them have multiple things going on but they have been bridesmaids for each other for 30 years or so,” said Gloria Goodman, director of the comedy play.

“It starts in a seven-year time span from the time that they’re 46 to the time that they’re 53,” Goodman added. “There’s a whole lot of crazy hijinks, just a lot of stuff that goes on between the women.”

The friend group consists of mixed personalities. One friend, Monette, tests the group’s patience and endurance with her constant weddings and divorces, leading the group to keep their promises of being bridesmaids one too many times, while another, Deedra, realizes her marriage may not be as strong and ever-loving as she once believed.

Libby Ruth, a hopeful romantic who just wants her friends to be happily wed like she is, follows the group and guides them toward a perfect marriage, even when she knows in the back of her mind that no marriage is perfect. Environmentalist Charlie learns that while marriage matters to her, she may have conflated it to mean something it doesn’t, leading to a personal revelation.

During the play, the women learn that while relationships may come and go, and weddings can be a lovely event, the power of true friendship reigns above all and is the strongest relationship a person can have.

“It’s very similar to ‘Sweet Delilah’ in the way that they have these prototypes of women that have known each other for a long time and get together for various kinds of events,” Goodman said. “But it’s the relationships between them that are hysterical, but they’re also really nice and poignant, too.”

The common thread to the friend group, besides their love for each other, is the daughter of one of the women in the friend group. As she begins taking the next step in her life with a wedding, the women come together again as they pass the torch to the next generation.

“The pacing is fast, it’s almost like a French farce, except it’s set in rural Virginia,” Goodman said. “The cast is full of seasoned actors and they’re really fun to work with. Everybody brings something new to the table.”

Goodman said the show can be relatable for audience members who have been through some sort of similar situation, but the show highlights the importance of friendship.

“No matter what men come and go in their lives, they always have these women that they can rely on and count on,” she said. “Maybe you know people in your life you should be cherishing a bit more, and this will remind you. This show is just very light, very funny and very heartwarming.”