SEASON ENDING PERFORMANCE … Rose Bustos as Maddie and Brian Spencer as Thomas imitate “The Fonz” as Nathan Maynard, portraying Rick, reacts.
DECORATIVE CLOTHING … Rose Bustos as Maddie reacts to her mother, played by Tiffany C. Day, after discovering she bedazzled her favorite jean vest.
PHOTOS BY REBEKAH DELL / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
MAKING GOD LAUGH … Rose Bustos as Maddie and Tiffany C. Day as Ruthie share an intense conversation as Thomas and Bill look on.
By: Rebekah Dell
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
In Cheryl D. Chapman’s directing debut, she; along with her cast and crew, delivered a brilliant and heartfelt performance of Making God Laugh, marking Williams County Community Theater’s final production of 2025.
The play, written by Sean Grennan, follows an average American family of five over the course of three decades as they navigate relationships with one another, personal growth, and the inevitable changes life brings.
Presented in four acts, the story begins in 1980 with the family matriarch, Ruthie; played by Tiffany C. Day, scurrying about her living room making sure every nick-knack is in its place and every pillow perfectly fluffed.
Her husband, Bill (Nathan Butler), gently steps in to reassure her that everything will be fine, though Ruthie admits her nerves stem from eagerly awaiting the arrival of her three grown children.
One by one, they return home, and what unfolds is familiar hilarity, tender moments, and the sort of family tensions many audience members will recognize.
WCCT’s production delivers standout performances from all five actors, each bringing a distinct energy to their role.
Day’s Ruthie is a strong-willed, traditional mother whose deep love often shows itself through opinionated nudges and old-fashioned values. Day leans into Ruthie’s quirks and contradictions, portraying a woman who means well even when she meddles a bit too much.
Butler’s Bill is the easygoing, peacekeeping father who is the glue that holds the family together.
Many dads may see themselves in his character: quietly supportive, quick with reassurance, and always ready to diffuse tension. Butler remains grounded and authentic, even in the more emotional turns of the story.
Brian Spencer shines as Thomas, the oldest sibling who becomes a priest and later faces unexpected life changes, ones that challenge both him and the family. Spencer transitions seamlessly through the character’s evolution, showing Thomas’s complexity with nuance and heart.
Maddie, the ambitious and independent daughter, is played by Rose Bustos. Maddie is witty, driven, and often defensive as she wrestles with balancing her family’s expectations, her artistic dreams, and her sometimes-strained relationship with her mother. Bustos embodies the emotional weight Maddie carries, offering a performance many will find deeply relatable.
Rounding out the trio of siblings is Rick, portrayed by Nathan Maynard. Rick is charming, funny, and a bit aimless as he tries to determine his path in life.
Maynard’s performance is touching and sincere, capturing the uncertainty many young adults face when choosing a direction that satisfies both themselves and their families.
Behind the scenes, WCCT’s stage crew worked tirelessly to manage quick set changes and the unique challenges of a prop-heavy show, including glassware and real food items that needed to be reset for each scene.
The lighting and sound technician kept pace with the fast-moving dialogue and shifting emotional beats, helping the production flow effortlessly.
The set itself was thoughtfully crafted, transporting the audience back to the 1980s.
Though the entire story takes place in a single living room, the use of seasonal decor, meticulous detail, and era-appropriate costumes kept each act feeling fresh and visually engaging.
When asked what the biggest challenges were they faced in presenting a 30-year timeline Director Cheryl D. Chapman noted that making food changes and dishware changes, while such a small detail was a huge undertaking.
She also stated, “The cast had wardrobe changes in every scene, which is pretty significant. But we also had to think about how each character would realistically age over three decades.
“We talked about it and agreed that from their 20s to their 30s, not much would change; from their 30s to their 40s, just a bit. But in that final scene, that’s where the aging would really show.”
Chapman stepped into the director’s chair for the very first time with this production, bringing warmth, intention, and a deep understanding of the story’s themes.
Her leadership helped create a cohesive and rich performance that resonated strongly with the audience. When asked what inspired her to take the director’s chair for this particular play, she said, “I thought Oh my god! This is my life!
“I have an older brother who was an athlete, a younger brother who’s the favorite son and I was the girl in the middle with the challenging relationship with her mother.
“I’m actually home now caring for my mom. This play just spoke to me!” And when asked if she would direct again in the future she isn’t ruling it out, but she sees a nice break in her future.
If you haven’t yet seen WCCT’s production of Making God Laugh, there’s still time. Final performances run November 20th through 22nd with show times beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Whether you’re drawn to heartfelt family stories, community arts, or simply enjoy a night out, this show is well worth the visit.