Dearly beloved… You are invited to enjoy the matrimonial mayhem of Always a Bridesmaid, running through June 21, 2026, at Meadow Brook Theatre (MBT) on the campus of Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan.
Wedding season is upon us, and there’s no better way to celebrate it and the end of another successful MBT season than by enjoying a hilarious behind-the-scenes look at bridal blunders in the comedy Always a Bridesmaid.
This show is the brainchild of writers Jones Hope Wooten. As in three individuals: Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope, and Jamie Wooten, writing together. Their specialty is laugh-out-loud comedies that feature strong female roles. For many years, Jamie Wooten was a writer and producer for the beloved show, “The Golden Girls,” and that experience is evident in the material of Always a Bridesmaid. In fact, I was struck by how much this production felt like a sitcom, and we were the live studio audience. It is a fun ride from processional to recessional.
The story centers on four friends in their late 40s – Monette Gentry (Milika Chereé), Charlie Collins (Dani Cochrane, Birthday Club), Deedra Wingate (Leslie Ann Handelman, Shear Madness), and Libby Ruth Ames (Cheryl Turski, What the Constitution Means to Me). Thirty years prior, they all made a pact to be in each other’s weddings, no matter what. Over a span of seven years, the audience is given a glimpse as these women do their best to keep the promise they made as young, idealistic girls.
Taking place at the historic Laurelton Oaks in Laurelton, Virginia, Always a Bridesmaid is bursting with southern accents, attitudes, and activity. These four women each represent someone you’ll probably recognize from your friend group.
L to R: Leslie Ann Handelman as “Deedra,” Dani Cochrane as “Charlie,” Kasie Buono Roberts as “Kari,”, Cheryl Turski as “Libby Ruth,” Milika Chereé as “Monette,” and Stephanie Wahl as “Sedalia” in Meadow Brook Theatre’s production of ‘Always a Bridesmaid.’
Photo courtesy of Sean Carter Photography
Libby Ruth is happily married and a hopeless romantic. She takes her bridesmaids’ duties very seriously and spends a lot of time trying to keep the peace among her friends, along with making sure they get down the aisle. Deedra is a headstrong, dry-witted northern transplant with a marriage that is starting to show some cracks.
Charlie is a hyper-independent, sarcastic free spirit who isn’t too sure about the whole institution of marriage, while flashy and brassy Monette can’t get enough of being the center of attention. Trying to keep everyone in line and running on time is Sedalia Ellicott (Stephanie Wahl, Come From Away), the gregarious and energetic hostess of Laurelton Oaks. She is equal parts sinister and sweet. The very definition of a “Bless Your Heart” southern woman.
Rounding out this fantastically talented cast is Kari Ames-Bissette (Kasie Buono Roberts, Million Dollar Quartet). Kari is Libby Ruth’s 20-something daughter who gives a toast throughout the show while progressively getting tipsy on champagne. Charlie, Deedra, and Monette are her godmothers, and all four women have come together to be bridesmaids one last time for Kari. It is a beautiful full-circle moment.
There are many relatable events in this show. For example, when Charlie says, “I had no idea it (being a bridesmaid) would be a regular gig for the rest of my life.” If you have ever stood up in multiple weddings, that line strikes a chord. Always a Bridesmaid gives you a serial bride, a runaway bride, and a bride who has to decide between two men. And the bridesmaids’ dresses? They are top-tier comical. The costumes and wigs are next level because if you’ve worn a bridesmaid dress, chances are it is one that you normally wouldn’t be caught dead in. No matter how many times the bride assures you that you can wear it again. The most absurd example of this is when Libby Ruth is put in charge of the bridesmaid dresses for Deedra’s elegant wedding and somehow lands on a French theme. She is dressed as a can-can girl, Charlie arrives wearing a French maid’s costume, and Monette upstages them all in a Marie Antoinette outfit that would make Queen Charlotte on “Bridgerton” jealous.
Always a Bridesmaid is an endearing, side-splitting look at female friendships and promises. A celebration of growing up and growing together, no matter what life throws our way. All the actresses in this show are familiar faces on the MBT stage and masters in all areas of comedy. Individually, they’re great, but as an ensemble, they are phenomenal and deliver a show full of laughs and heart.
American author Robert Fulghum (All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten) hit the nail on the head when he said, “Most weddings are such comedies. Not that they are intended as such. But since weddings are high state occasions involving amateurs under pressure… everything never goes right.” Kari Ames-Bissette takes it one step further during her toast, “If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans. If you want to make him double over and howl, tell him your wedding plans!”
For better or worse. In sickness and in health, weddings are equal parts comedy, tragedy, and fairy tale. Always a Bridesmaid gives you all three wrapped in an uproarious package that you will want to RSVP for.
Always a Bridesmaid runs for two hours with a 15-minute intermission.
MBT has given this production a rating for High School age and older.
Understudies for Always a Bridesmaid are Princess Beyoncé Jones and Kennedy Vernengo.
Always a Bridesmaid is directed by Travis W. Walter. Scenic design is by Donna Beagle, costume design by Liz Goodall, assisted by Katie Rain Auberle, lighting design by Eric Van Tassell, and sound design by Matthew Chase. Brittanie Nichole Sicker is the stage manager, and Stacy White is the assistant stage manager.
Tickets range from $40 to $48 and are available by calling the Meadow Brook Theatre box office at 248-377-3300 or going online at www.Ticketmaster.com. Student discounts are available at the box office. Groups of eight or more should call 248-370-3316 for group pricing.
About Sarah Hovis