HOW TO LOVE A REPUBLICAN by Carol Kaufman Segal

            What perfect timing for a play of this ilk!  How to Love A Republican is another winner by comedy playwright Jerry Mayer.  This one will keep you in stitches, as Jerry has a knack for clever lines, and the entire production, superbly directed by Chris DeCarlo, features a perfect cast.  This all adds up to a very funny play that you won’t want to miss.

            Ruth McCoy (Rachel Galper) and Tim McCoy (Dan Gilvezan)) are a happily married couple with a lovely young daughter Margie (Elizabeth Ellson).  Well, they were happy until recently.  The fact that Tim is Christian and Ruth is Jewish has no bearing on their problem. Never has and never will. 

            Then what is the problem between these two formerly very happy people?  Ah, it is election time, and what worse could cause a rift in a happy couple’s life than one being a steadfast Republican (that’s Tim) and the other being a staunch Democrat (and of course that’s Ruth).

            Though Ruth and Tim are at odds with each other, they both agree it is time for Margie to find a husband, and they decide to play match-maker by introducing her to a perfect man.  Margie is introduced to Lenny Klein (Adam Mondschein) by Ruth, and they seem to have an ongoing relationship until, unbeknownst to Ruth, Tim arranges a situation whereby Margie meets Mark Bliss (Matthew Wrather).  Then her life becomes more complicated 

            Coincidentally, Lenny is a Democrat, Mark is a Republican, and both are running for the same open seat in Congress!  Now it is up to Margie to learn more about the two parties in order to be able to make a decision as to who will get her vote!  Will Ruth and Tim learn a lesson from Margie and put away their political differences to renew their love for one another as Margie gives them insight into love and politics?

            How To Love A Republican is a production of The Santa Monica Playhouse located at 1211 4^th Street, in Santa Monica.  Performances are Saturdays at 7 PM, Sundays at 3 PM, through December 18.  For reservations, call (310) 394-9779, ext. 1, or go online at santamonicaplayhouse.com.