Stepping Out

"The Hallelujah Girls" starts with a certain comical logic. Make the characters as eccentric as possible, keep the comedy rolling as fast as possible. It works. It's entirely absurd, but if you don't let rationality get in the way, it works.

The story revolves around a group of five middle-aged women. After one of their friends dies, one of them decides that she didn't want to waste any more time. Sugar Lee Thompkins decides to start her own spa.

There are, of course, a few complications. The building that she occupies used to be a church. There are a lot of repairs to be done, and the handyman is Bobby Dwayne, Sugar Lee's ex-fiancé. Sugar Lee's best friend and employee Crystal dresses up in odd costumes, and writes holiday jingles for the spa.

But the biggest obstacle is an old rival of Sugar Lee's, Bunny, who is after the same property. She will sabotage their business at any cost, and she has a fortune to do it with.

Can Sugar Lee and her friends Crystal, Nita, Carlene, Christie and Bobby Dwayne pull off a miracle? Maybe it will pay off having Spah-de-dah (as they call it) in a former church.

The cast is a blast. Sugar Lee Thompkins is played by Janine Snavely. Her character is very prideful and stubborn, qualities that both help and hinder her.

Bonnie Ronan plays the peculiar Crystal. She believes that everything in life is an excuse to celebrate. We can pity and applaud her cheerfulness.

The treacherous Bunny is played by Faeth Sanford. She's a bit like Harriet Olesen on "Little House on the Prairie." Her nonchalant mean-spiritedness knows no bounds.

Nancy Key plays Nita. She is forever quoting the romance novels she reads. She's also being effectively used by her son who is out on probation.

The part of Carlene goes to Kathleen Reynolds. She has a bad reputation as a black widow. After three husbands who all died in freak accidents, her dating pool has narrowed quite a bit.

Mavis Flowers plays Christie. She is always at battle with her husband. She's a most world-weary and negative.

The ex-fiancé Bobby Dwayne is played by David Francke. He wins our sympathies as he continues to carry a torch for Sugar Lee after three decades. They have pretty good chemistry together. 

And last but not least is Michael Goodwill who plays Porter Padget. He's the only man who will take a chance dating Carlene. Somebody should warn her away from him, when you get down to it.

Don't miss this sidesplitting show.

"The Hallelujah Girls" plays at Symphony Hall, 2710 Colby, April 9-11 and April 16-18, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays and Saturday, April 7.