An unexpected retreat: 'Enough Already' opens at Stained Glass Theatre

From left, Kyrstin Keim, Jamie Waier and Laura Buehler, playing Jessie, Libby and Maggie, respectively, have a heart-to-heart in a scene Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2020, during dress rehearsal for "Enough Already" at Stained Glass Theatre. The women play a set of friends who've been close since college, but each holds a source of fear or anxiety they don't initially tell each other about.
From left, Kyrstin Keim, Jamie Waier and Laura Buehler, playing Jessie, Libby and Maggie, respectively, have a heart-to-heart in a scene Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2020, during dress rehearsal for "Enough Already" at Stained Glass Theatre. The women play a set of friends who've been close since college, but each holds a source of fear or anxiety they don't initially tell each other about.

It's a story everyone can connect with.

At least that's what Gail Clements is hoping.

Clements is directing "Enough Already," the latest production at Stained Glass Theatre of Mid-Missouri that opens tonight. The story centers on three longtime friends who went to college together going on their annual retreat. But this year, a blizzard hits as they arrive at the rented cabin, trapping three former fraternity brothers, the former renters, with the women.

Clements said the women initially think the men will ruin their weekend, but what ultimately transpires is "pretty incredible." Throughout the play, secrets are revealed and faced, she said, while it's realized God doesn't always answer prayers the way you want them to be answered.

"You face your imperfections and your flaws," Clements said.

The story is familiar to Clements. It was written about 12 years ago by Angie Fadness, and Clements directed the debut production at Stained Glass in 2009. Clements noted it was a unique experience then, as Fadness was cast in one of the roles, meaning Clements had to direct the playwright.

It's an intimate production. Clements said the play had some biographical elements for Fadness, who most closely resembled the lifelong bachelorette character. (Clements noted the playwright eventually did get her happy ending with a match, though it was after the initial production.)

One of the complications in the storyline involves that character, who recognizes one of the men as someone who rejected her through an online dating platform, though he has no recollection of it. It all makes for a very bitter and tense situation, Clements said, and a conversation about personal relationships with God.

There's only six people in the cast, all adults, Clements said, which made the production schedule a bit easier. They held their final dress rehearsal Tuesday, and Clements said all involved have done a wonderful job of getting ready for the show.

Ultimately, she said, audiences will connect with the story and find at least one character they can really identify with.

"They are going to see themselves in one of our characters," Clements said. "If we don't deliver something they can connect with, then we haven't done our job."

"Enough Already" opens at 7:30 p.m. tonight, with shows at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Oct. 29-30, and at 2 p.m. Saturday and Oct. 31. Tickets are $7 for tonight's show and $10 for all shows after. Reservations can be made online at sgtmidmo.org. Stained Glass Theatre is located at 830 E. High St. in Jefferson City.