Cynthia Tupper Tackles Bucket List Roles in Let Nothing You Dismay

Cynthia Tupper as the irascible Bubbie with Gary Weinstein as Milford
PHOTO by Laurie Smalis

Long-time Barn member Cynthia Tupper has done it all when it comes to her theater accomplishments at the Farmington Players, including directing 15 shows, serving on the Board for 18 years, and costuming 73 shows!  So it might surprise you to hear that Let Nothing You Dismay helps fulfill a bucket list wish:  “The challenge of playing multiple roles has always been on my theatrical bucket list.”   Cynthia’s three characters are as diverse and multi-faceted as she is.  Her primary role is Charlotte, who she describes as a “free spirited new age force to be reckoned with.  Although she left her children, who were raised by their father, she is just starting to rebuild her relationship with her family. She is absolutely confident in the wisdom she believes she has attained in following her own path. The bigness of her personality is expressed in the drama of her voice and gestures.”  As the play unfolds, Cynthia says, “Charlotte experiences a new found respect from some of the family members who used to scoff at her as an aging hippie. It is very satisfying to see the arc of her character change during the course of the play.”

Cynthia also plays Noreen, a kooky nun that bursts onstage and “gives the audience a taste of the chaos that is about to begin!”  Cynthia says that “being raised Catholic and attending parochial school for two years gives me personal insight into Noreen the nun. Previously I played Mother Superior in Nunsense, who was the Irish traditional strict nun. However, Noreen is the complete opposite as she is a modern energetic nun with a cheerful outlook who ‘always looks on the bright side of life’!”  Last but not least is Bubbie, the 84-year-old Jewish grandmother who loves to complain about everything.  Cynthia sees Bubbie as “a combination of my experiences working in the New York garment district where my Brooklyn accent was learned. I also worked with a real life Bubbie at Saks Fifth Avenue…also known as Goldie. This wonderful woman taught me ‘how to make a brisket that will melt in your mouth!’ Bubbie is a rare combination of chutzpah, attitude and a big heart and whose outspokenness is legendary.”

Let Nothing You Dismay reexamines what it means to be a family. In reflecting on the themes of the show, Cynthia says, “for many people their families include a strong network of friends. Especially for someone like me, who is a child of a child of an only child. Although my husband has a brother and a sister, our family is by no means huge. So our close friends and our Barn family are definitely part of our extended family. The show celebrates diversity and includes adoption as an important option. This play definitely takes a page from the television show Modern Family with its mixed bag of big personalities and humorous chaos.  It’s a new fast-paced and funny family friendly Christmas show to be enjoyed by all.”

Let Nothing You Dismay has 10 performances at the Farmington Players Barn Theater from November 30 – December 15.  The show is proudly sponsored by Weinstein Jewelers.  Tickets are available online at farmingtonplayers.org or by emailing boxoffice@farmingtonplayers.org or calling the Barn box office at 248-553-2955.