'Four Old Broads' opens in Bingen, Big Britches goes nonprofit

While fleshing out their 2026 performance line-up, BBP co-owners and Gorge power couple April and Joe Garoutte read over 100 scripts, ultimately selecting “Four Old Broads” to kick off the season. 

Women greatly outnumber men in community theater, but for older actresses, there isn’t a vast crop of scripts in which they’re prominently featured — often relegated to secondary and tertiary roles like the grandma. “We wanted to show this vibrant life that can still exist for people who are a little older,” Joe Garoutte said. “It’s worth putting out there and having a good laugh with the older members of the community.”

Initially from Las Vegas, Peterson began her theater journey on stage in college and later worked as a professional actor in Los Angeles for 10 years. After a 20-year break from the scene, raising a family here in the Gorge, she returned, starring in various productions at The Bingen Theater. 

Although unfamiliar with “Four Old Broads” beforehand, Peterson was happy to assume the reins when the Garouttes came calling, attracted to the show’s themes of ageing with humor, overcoming adversity, staying open to love, and the power of nurturing friendships.  

The story follows the riotous hijinks of four nursing home residents, Beatrice (Alison Fitts), Eaddy (Kate Hand), Imogene (Rosemary Shepardson), and Maude (Janelle Child), who, in their quest to embark on a much-needed Caribbean cruise, must first uncover the truth behind the sudden disappearance of pills, which has rapidly increased trips to the “dark side” — a solitary ward, of sorts, where worse-for-wear residents are banished to wither away. 

Rehearsing since the third week in January, the ensemble is firing on all cylinders, hitting fast-paced comedic beats that hardly leave time to catch your breath between laughs. “The cast and crew of this show were a dream to work with,” Peterson said in her director’s note. “Everyone contributed insightful ideas and loads of creativity.”

Fitts is commanding as the unfiltered and unashamed retired burlesque dancer Beatrice, whose headstrong attitude and love of debauchery motivate the crew to indulge in mischief. Hand is perfectly uptight as the religious Eaddy, whose demeanor starts to soften when the crew goes full “Charlie’s Angels” mode in the second act.  

Shepardson, playing the forgetful, neurotic Imogene, excels at physical comedy, essentially leashed to her oxygen tank like a dog to a pole. Her playful dynamic with supporting player Kirk Thomas, who charms as the lifelong ladies’ man and Elvis impersonator Sam, is a standout development. 

And then there’s Maude, a shut-in, funeral-obsessed resident who’s convinced the characters in her favorite soap opera are real people. Child delivers the show’s steepest arc, blossoming into a whole new character in the second act as she competes in a beauty pageant.

Rounding out the cast is Mari Black as the intimidating head nurse Pat, who runs the facility like the Navy, and Jessica Metta as sweetheart nurse Ruby Sue, who's always glued to her favorite romance novel. They’re polar opposites and more than meets the eye. 

The final act is a full-blown, Scooby-Doo-style romp full of twists and turns — about as action-packed as a nursing home can get. And while the comedy will be front of mind when exiting the theater, it’s the heartwarming moments — the sweet display of friendship — that puts “Four Old Broads” above and beyond. 

“It’s great to have audiences here laughing and coming alive with enthusiasm,” Peterson said. “I hope that they have so much fun and talk about it and want to share it with their friends. I think it’s a great night of theater where you can forget about your everyday woes and laugh at life’s silly things.”

“Four Old Broads” will close on March 28. For tickets, visit bigbritches.org. 

BBP Goes Nonprofit

BBP is a community theater company that welcomes volunteer casts and crews from throughout the region to help realize its high-quality, five-show seasons. Operating within The Bingen Theater, the production company also hosts comedy nights, concerts, and multimedia presentations.

In February, BBP announced its transition to a nonprofit model. “The very real practical reason is that taxes were killing us,” Joe Garoutte explained. “And we were already checking the boxes that would fulfill a nonprofit entity.”

While initially apprehensive about making the shift, worried they might lose control of script selection and programming, the Garouttes ultimately decided to embrace any tradeoffs necessary to keep the company viable. “It’s a gamble,” Joe Garoutte said. “At some point, if the board decides to vote us out, then it’s not ours anymore.”

BBP’s new model, however, will open the door to expand its programming through grant money. “Maybe we’ll employ some people to do things we wouldn’t have been able to do ourselves,” Joe Garoutte said. “We would like to include children in a summer youth theater program.” 

Looking ahead to future performances, beginning with “The Other Place” later this spring, audiences can expect the same quality output they’ve grown accustomed to. In order to successfully ring in its new era, BBP is targeting $17,000 in donations by May 1. Donations are tax-deductible and can be made at bigbritches.org.