Ripcord Cast Doesn’t Get Mad, or Even, With Roommates

Nancy Cooper (Marilyn) and Margaret Gilkes (Abby) explore the secret to getting along -- or not -- with roomates.
PHOTO:  Paul Manoian

In Ripcord, odd couple roommates in a retirement home make a bet: If Marilyn loses her temper before Abby gets scared, she will move out, and vice versa.  I asked the Farmington Players cast of Ripcord to consider the following question: Did you ever have a roommate that you didn't like or that made you angry?  How did you get along?

Jason Wilhoite (Scotty): “I did have a roommate in college that I didn’t get a long with, but much like Scotty I worked to balance our personalities. My other suitemates responded a little more like Abby and worked to make him want to leave. To be honest... I sort of lived this when I think about it.”

Laurel Stroud (Colleen):   “I had one roommate who never left the room except for class, so I never had alone time there.  As an adapter, I found an out of the way place in the library to be alone in. I lived with my parents for a while after college, that was probably the most irritating, as is to be expected. This was before cell phones so I had to tell them things like, ‘if dinner is ready, just eat. If I’m not home, don’t wait for me.’ I eventually adapted my way out and into my own place.”

Nancy Cooper (Marilyn):  “I have never really had a roommate that made me angry, but I have been married for 23 years. … So, of course I know what it’s like to make a conscious effort not to let things make me angry and just go with the flow.”  Similarly, Margaret Gilkes (Abby) says, “I have been married over 45 years I guess I figured it out.”

Ripcord has 9 performances at the Farmington Players Barn Theater from October 4 - 19.  The show is proudly sponsored by elder law attorneys Mall, Malisow and Cooney, P.C.  Tickets are available online at farmingtonplayers.org or by emailing boxoffice@farmingtonplayers.org or calling the Barn box office at 248-553-2955.