Riding Out the Storm with Wit and Heart: Silver Lining finds humor in unlikely waters

L-R: Erin Carter, CeCe Brantley, Melanie Workhoven, Susan Connors, and Dawn Cornell

Silver Lining by Sandi Toksvig

Directed by Renée Gilbert

PG-13 

Playing March 27-April 19, 2026

Friday-Saturday 7:30pm, Sunday 2pm

The Phoenix Edmonds 

9673 Firdale Ave, ​Edmonds WA 98020

A group of saucy septuagenarians need help escaping the rising flood waters around them but their hero, Hope, is left struggling to round them up as they bicker, silly dally, and paw through their naughty toys trying to pack their Go Bags. Ladies, come on!

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James Lynch and Melanie Workhoven

Theatre Review by Kindle Carpp

Silver Lining sets its stage with urgency and purpose, exploring both society’s disregard for the elderly and the limited opportunities available to older women in theatre. 

As a violent storm rages and floodwaters rise, five residents of a small retirement home in Gravesend prepare for evacuation. When it becomes clear that help is not coming, they take matters into their own hands and chart their own escape. 

What unfolds is a story that balances sharp humor with moments of genuine emotional depth.

Susan Connors brings lively determination to Gloria, a woman who refuses to let age define her identity. Connors delivers a confident and engaging performance, capturing Gloria’s defiance and humor with ease. Her presence energizes the stage, and she maintains a strong connection with the audience through her character’s unapologetic outlook on life.

Dawn Cornell and Erin Carter portray sisters May and June, whose strained relationship carries both tension and tenderness. Cornell’s May begins with a quiet subtlety that gradually reveals a deeply layered character. As the story progresses, 

Cornell allows May’s resilience and wit to emerge, making her one of the production’s most compelling figures. Carter’s June provides a gentle contrast, embodying a softer and more reserved personality. Her performance ensures that June’s quieter nature never fades into the background, and she skillfully balances sincerity with well-timed humor.

Melanie Workhoven’s St. Michael is both whimsical and poignant. Embracing the character’s dementia-driven unpredictability, Workhoven delivers moments of levity while never losing sight of the emotional reality beneath them. Her portrayal captures both the confusion and vulnerability of the character, adding an important emotional layer to the ensemble.

Melanie Calderwood and Erin Carter

Melanie Calderwood shines as Maureen, bringing warmth and comedic timing to the role. Her performance lifts many of the play’s quieter moments, offering laughter that feels both natural and well-earned. Calderwood ensures that Maureen remains a memorable and endearing presence throughout.

CeCe Brantley’s Hope injects the production with energy and fire. Her portrayal captures the character’s frustration and determination, providing a strong counterpoint to the older residents. Brantley’s performance is vibrant and grounded, allowing Hope’s perspective to feel both contemporary and deeply personal.

James Lynch appears as Jed in a brief but impactful role. Despite limited stage time, Lynch creates a character with believable depth and nuance. His performance adds an intriguing layer to the story, particularly as Jed’s intentions become clear.

The humor in the first half leans into familiar territory, drawing on generational contrasts and the candid realities of aging. While these moments occasionally highlight differences rather than bridge them, they still generate consistent laughter. 

In the second half, the balance shifts, and the humor integrates more seamlessly with the play’s emotional core. Moments of introspection allow each character’s history to surface, enriching the narrative with a sense of lived experience and shared humanity.

The technical elements support the story effectively. The set design is functional and thoughtfully detailed, creating a believable environment without distracting from the action. The sound design stands out in particular, with the persistent sound of rain reinforcing the tension and immersing the audience in the unfolding crisis.

Erin Carter, CeCe Brantley, and Susan Connors

Director Renée Gilbert guides the production with a clear understanding of its tonal balance, allowing both the comedy and the drama to resonate. The pacing ensures that lighter moments never undercut the emotional stakes, and the ensemble works cohesively to bring Toksvig’s script to life.

A particularly memorable moment came from an unexpected technical mishap involving a vibrating prop and a metal storage box. The resulting escalation in volume sent the audience into delighted laughter, while the cast maintained composure with admirable professionalism. It became an unplanned highlight that underscored the live nature of theatre.

As the play reaches its conclusion, it embraces the spirit of a dramedy finale. Not everything resolves neatly, but there is a sense of hope, resilience, and shared joy. 

The image of these women forging their own escape is both absurd and inspiring, capturing the play’s unique blend of humor and heart.

Silver Lining ultimately celebrates the vitality, complexity, and enduring strength of its characters. It offers a showcase for a talented cast while inviting audiences to reflect, laugh, and connect.

In the end, Silver Lining reminds us that even in the rising waters of uncertainty, it is never too late to take the helm of your own story.