The golden gals are back with a cruise-ship comedy in the Springs

Funky Little Theatre delivers the laughs with ‘Four Old Broads on the High Seas’

The old gals are back in a delightful romp into the lifestyle of four spunky ladies on a sassy seniors’ cruise. Four Old Broads on the High Seas runs through June 28 at the Funky Little Theatre Company.

Four Old Broads on the High Seas is a sequel to the original comedy Funky produced last summer, which had the feisty Southern gal-pals in mischief at their retirement community. Writer Leslie Kimbell steps up the bawdy humor this time with older gals on the prowl. Poking fun at aging, there are sensual scenes and costumes that just can’t be unseen — and which may unsettle some patrons. Leave your PC at the door and just enjoy.

The synergy of the four friends is what makes the show work. Each actor returned to their original roles picking up the storyline to up the ante on their diverging personas. Meet the skank, the prude, the scaredy-cat and the loudmouth. Together, they are hilarious!

The production, directed by Chris Medina, does drag in some scenes. There are too many actors engaged in physical antics that elongate the joke beyond its value — like the couple’s tryst behind the bar. Shorter and more implied would get the laugh without the clumsiness.

Marty Rapp reprises her role as retired burlesque dancer Beatrice who doesn’t miss a beat in her shameless man-chasing. Her steps are more a strut and her lines a come-on to anyone in pants. Her platinum blonde wig, garish makeup and skimpy clothing fit Bea to a tee. A retired English professor, Rapp was part of Funky’s Play Crawl last year and is now studying acting at UCCS.

Bea’s best friend Eaddy is played with plausible piety by Mary Sprunger-Froese. Deeply pious and a card-carrying prude, Eaddy’s favorite pastime is judging, but she endears herself as the moral compass of the show. Prefacing every unwanted opinion with “I don’t mean to be in your business but …,” O’Neil nails it with adoring charm. A Funky vet, she also appeared in Election Day at the Millibo Art Theatre.

The two spar in sophomoric name-calling but continually reconcile with warmth and humor. Who among us doesn’t have a friend you’d like to let loose on occasionally. Brace yourself: restraint in word and deed have no role in this show!

Enter Imogene (Leslie O’Neil) as the reserved traditionalist. More ambulatory and off oxygen, Imogene ready to love again. She has paired up with the retirement home’s alleged womanizer, intent on marriage while on the cruise.

Jockeying with her love interest Sam (John Longo) the betrothed are magically awkward in their lusty encounters. Some good belly laughs ensue from their disheveled trysts and age-related fails. Longo, a mainstay on local stages, has the seasoned agility to flex into any character with credibility, from the silly Sam to a serious juror in Funky’s 12 Angry Men last year.

From left, Patrick Neill, Melvin Grier and Kim Dobson in ‘Four Old Broads on the High Seas.’ | Photo: Chris Medina

And then there’s Maude

Quirky and loud don’t begin to capture the character that is Maude. Gayle Abe has this irreverent old broad down. A retired teacher, Abe embodies Maude as that older lady without a filter we all know. Between her spicey one-liners and outrageous garb, her saucy portrayal of Maude is priceless. A Colorado resident since 1975, Abe performed at the original Bonfils Theatre and with the Denver Theatre Project.

The show’s set is simple, but it works in the minimalistic digs of a makeshift theatre that has become yet another home for Funky. Easy shifts pivot the set from the promenade to its pub. Sea sounds create the nautical ambience as music captures the tacky glitz of the party on the water. A full house graced the show’s opening matinee with many a gray head in the audience.

Solomon Abell is a showstopper as the star of the ship’s drag show, becoming entangled in the disjointed plotline along the way. With a 2020 BFA in drama, Abell shifts from the demure porter to the dazzling drag queen with ease. His polished dance moves and lip-synching bring energy to every scene.

And what seniors’ cruise would be complete without a resident cad. Patrick Rogers is Herbert, an aging playboy with nefarious intent. A bad wig and numerous wealthy-sounding surnames, Herbert has amusing repetitive come-ons as he lures and then loots the wealthy ladies of their jewels. A veteran actor, Rogers has been Springs-based since 2023 and has since appeared in Funky’s 12 Angry Men and RIPCORD with the Springs Ensemble Theatre.

Writer Kimbell cleverly inserts random cruisers into the storyline. Strolling the promenade and exchanging fiery barbs, there is a crotchety couple celebrating an anniversary. He has no patience, and she can’t hear. More jabs at the expense of seniors, but with endearing hilarity as they stroll off eyes locked, hand-in-hand.

While the storyline gets lost in the laughs, the amateurish charm of true community theatre saves the day. As Funky’s 55^th production, the Broads represent the resiliency of this small troupe of dedicated thespians. Now in its fifth location, Funky hangs on thanks to its tenacity to stay afloat in a crowded harbor.