Theater briefs

Comically Impaired makes

best of bad situation

Longtime Wilmington improv troupe The Comically Impaired disbanded their weekly shows about three years ago, but they've continued to perform every few months or so, usually for charitable causes.

This weekend, the Impaired will perform twice at City Stage in yet another effort to bring lightness and laughter to a dark situation.

Steve Vernon, a founding member of the troupe and a vital presence on the Wilmington theater scene for the past 20 years, recently suffered the passing of his mother, Linda, and he wanted to do a couple of shows to honor her. (Linda Vernon was an avid theatergoer and attended just about every show Steve had anything to do with.)

"It sounds really melancholy when you talk about it, but when we get up there, I'm sure it's going to be our regular raucous show," said Steve Rassin, another original troupe member, referring to The Comically Impaired's often ribald (and just as often hilarious) performances.

In keeping with the Impaired's charitable spirit, proceeds from the shows will go to the heart transplant fund of Anita Trivette, the fiancee of troupe member Bradley Evans.

Details: 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday at City Stage, 21 N. Front St. $5.

'Squabbles' in Sneads Ferry

Sneads Ferry Community Theatre presents this comedy by Marshall Karp about a young couple, Jerry and Alice, who invite Alice's dad and Jerry's mom to live with them. The older couple doesn't get along, which leads to, um, squabbles.

Details: 8 p.m. Saturday and March 7-8, 3 p.m. Sunday and March 9. Sneads Ferry Community Center, 126 Park Lane, Sneads Ferry. $10. 389-8776.

'The Sensuous Senator'

No, it's not about John McCain. This farce by Robert Parker is about a (fictional) senator running for president trying not to get caught with a couple of women, neither of whom are his wife. It's being presented dinner-theater style by The Columbus County Theatre Association.

Details: 7 p.m. Friday- Saturday and March 7-8 at Vineland Station (the old railroad depot), Madison and Main streets in Whiteville. Tickets are $30 and include dinner. Tickets to a 2 p.m. matinee Sunday are $10. Reservations for dinner shows must be made in advance. 642-3982.

- John Staton