Surviving family dysfunction in Marvin's Room

Estranged sister Lee (l) played by Kelly Boegel has an awkward reunion with sister Bessie (r) played Patsy McVicars in the Gateway Theatre Guild’s current production ‘Marvin’s Room’

The Gateway Theatre Guild’s current production ‘Marvin’s Room’ by Scott McPherson is a delightful comedy-drama that explores family dysfunction and terminal illness.

The show centres on Bessie the family caretaker (Patsy McVicars), a spinster responsible for her bedridden father and her feeble soap opera watching aunt (June Keevil) in Florida when she is diagnosed with Leukemia by the bumbling Dr. Wally (Scott Clark). As a result of her predicament Bessie must undergo treatment that fails and must reach out to her estranged sister Lee to see if she or one of her two sons is a match for bone marrow transplant all the while attempting to keep life the same.

Lee (Kelly Boegel) has her own set of issues dealing with a her son Hank (Joshua Bainbridge) who is in an institution for acting out and burning down the family home, while the younger one Charlie is withdrawn, failing in school and retreats to reading all the time.

For local author Barry Spillchuck, who has just experienced and survived cancer diagnosis and treatment, the show rang true on many levels.

“Well as a cancer survivor I can honestly say the show not only brought me laughs but it also brought me back into the hospital bed where I was lying way back in January – February and it was humour that got me through that,” he tells BayToday.

“And just reliving it again through this play ... Carolyn directing it and of course crazy Dr. Scott and all the actors were just absolutely tremendous, it made me feel like I was somewhat at home.”

“Especially the lead actress putting up her walls and saying don’t worry I’m fine I’ll be okay and her believing it and not believing it that’s a true way to go. I mean that’s what I went through I put on a brave face for the family and friends and they’d leave and I’d have to rely on my faith and say dear God let me show that the act I just put on for all these people is true.”

“And so seeing it again tonight I had a few tears in my eyes and of course a smile on my face at the same time it’s a wonderful play,” he adds.

Spillchuck adds that folks who are thinking they will take a pass on the show need to rethink the move.

“You are wasting your time doing anything else this is an amazing show. Not the fact that it is just local performers ... these are awesome actors and actresses doing a wonderful job.”

“North Bay theatre I am proud to say ... I have had the good fortune of traveling all around the United States and Canada and I see theatre wherever I go ... and North Bay theatre is amazing. And this show is just as amazing, again with the laughs and the tears that is why you go, you go to the theatre to be moved and if you come and see this play you will be moved.”

Show time is 8pm at Ecole Secondaire Publique Odyssee on Norman Avenue.

Tickets are $18 for adults, $15 for seniors/students and available at the door.