The main character in Bryna Turner’s At the Wedding is Carlo. She is not a crasher at the play’s reception, but she was not expected because she did not RSVP. That’s why Carlo is at the kids’ table in the opening scene.

She begins the play by delivering an embittered monologue about the devastation her young tablemates will feel when the one they love abandons them. This tirade makes it clear that Carlo has an agenda and a temper. Her antics are very entertaining in the absorbing, insightful production by the West End Players Guild.

The following scenes are one-on-one interactions between Carlo and others at the reception. She knows some of the people she speaks with: Carly, a bridesmaid; Maria, the bride’s mother; and Eva, the bride. Carlo’s other conversation partners are strangers: two wedding guests and a cater-waiter.

Hints are dropped about why Carlo is so angry and why she showed up at the wedding, but Turner is in no hurry to provide explicit answers. The characters are more connected than they seem at first, and the connections make the play richer.

Steph House excels at bringing out the comic potential in Carlo’s rage. Alexis Monsey makes Carly a worthy antagonist for Carlo in their verbal skirmishes. Deborah Dennert has great fun with Maria’s mordant humor.

The other wedding guests are portrayed impressively by Kevin Hester as Eli and Nachalah Duclerne as Leigh. Eli plans to propose to his girlfriend at the reception, an idea that appalls Carlo. Leigh is attracted to Carlo and suggests they leave the reception together.

In Angela Healy’s accomplished portrayal, Eva deftly handles a situation few other brides have to face. Matt Anderson is amusing and sympathetic as Victor, the cater-waiter. Audra Angelique is the DJ.

Director Anna Blair’s set design has provisions for action at the buffet, the bar, and the gift table; on the dance floor and the roof; and in a supply closet. Blair’s direction keeps the action moving smoothly in the versatile space. The sound design is Blair’s, too. The lighting is by Renee Sevier-Monsey.

At the Wedding continues through April 13 in the lower-level theater at the Union Avenue Christian Church, 733 Union Boulevard.

—Gerry Kowarsky

Photo by Anna Blair
From the left: Alexis Monsey as Carly and Steph House as Carlo in At the Wedding.