Life’s a Beach for the Women of ‘Wipeout’

As soon as Christina Rausa and Julie Kittsley came paddling out onto the (extraordinarily effective) stage at Alleyway Theatre, I thought “I know these women. They are my friends!”

Rausa and Kittsley have the roles of Claudia and Wynn in Alleyway’s comic opener “Wipeout,” the story of three women of a certain age who take to the water with a hunky surfer dude to learn to ride the waves.

“Riding the waves” is code for making the most of life in this bittersweet snapshot of friendship and aging, with its surprising setting. Being past the peak of time’s bell curve, Claudia, Wynn and their late-arriving friend Gary (it’s short for Margaret), are unlikely candidates for beginner lessons in surfing.

Wynn apparently agrees that it’s a wacky idea, complaining (almost snarling!) about her wetsuit, the water, the sun and the whole ocean to Claudia, who planned the outing.

Claudia is quite the opposite. She values sunscreen, she takes Pilates, she’s a Taurus, she deflects by suggesting they use “I” statements — she essentially is so “woke” she could teach coffee a few things.

Claudia hasn’t told Wynn she also invited Gary, a friend Wynn hasn’t seen in at least two years. Instead, Claudia dances around it, saying Gary is struggling and that she’s thinking Gary needs an activity (not surfing), perhaps a paint-by-numbers kit?

Wynn, focused on keeping her balance while straddling her board in gentle waves, barks back, “I think I would rather choke on my own spit and die than paint by numbers!”

Oh, did we mention? Wynn is going through an ugly divorce. Her husband has been cheating on her with a 55-year-old from the golf club, and the betrayal and loss have left her rather adrift. Anger is her way of compensating, and Kittsley runs with it.

When Gary (Diane McNamara) final paddles up, she greets her friends wide-eyed with happiness. She always dreamed of learning to surf. At least she thinks so. But when she begins repeating a long anecdote she just told, the light goes on for Wynn.

Age is coming for each them.

Gary is in the early stages of dementia. Claudia knew — dear Claudia, the incorrigible fixer – and she hopes the surf will be a reality tonic for Gary. She persuaded Wynn to come to knock her out of her divorce funk. And, if it works, perhaps Claudia might feel less alone.

Whatever else may happen, they all perk up when surf instructor Blaze, (Jacob Applegate) shows up. Handsome and hunky with a head full of floppy sun-kissed hair, he’s the distraction they didn’t know they needed.

Athletically demonstrating what it is like to “become one” with a wave and ride in its curves, Blaze’s narration is practically orgasmic, and when he breathlessly asks “Any questions?,” I expected the stunned women to respond “I’ll have what you’re having!”

Playwright Aurora Real de Asua writes with a deft and earthy touch, and “Wipeout” is a fun little outing even if you never look below the surface. Who can’t relate to an exhausted Claudia, paddling in circles and uttering “I needa break … ineedabreak … ineedabreak,” or to Gary’s delight at the consolation life offers to those who live past 60: “It’s the discounts! Congratulations! You made it! Here’s $2 off!”

And for those willing to suit up, exploring the characters’ hidden depths has its payoffs. These women are not the same as when they became friends decades earlier. Yet, they are still friends. Age is what you make of it, adventure is where you find it, and even the young have things they can teach.

As mentioned at the beginning, I know these women. They are my friends. Thank you, Alleyway, for letting them have their moment.

Note: This story would be impossible to stage without the excellent work of director Josie DiVincenzo and Alleyway’s design team.  They rotated the heater space 90 degrees to create an oceanic expanse — bookended by floor-to-ceiling arced waves, framed with watery panels and bathed in a shifting blue light.

Bryce Cutler is scenic designer; Emma Schimminger handled lighting and sound; the costumes are by Ann R. Emo and Anna Krempholtz had the unusual job of movement coordinator, training the cast in how to ride surfboards on dry land (swivel casters are the secret ingredient). The actors seem to float and bob on the water’s invisible surface, and the illusion is remarkable.

“Wipeout” continues through Sept. 28 at the Alleyway Theatre, 1 Curtain Up Alley, Thursdays through Saturdays, 7:30 p.m.; plus shows Monday, Sept. 16 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 21 at 3:30 p.m. Tickets are $44; $42 senior; $30 students; at alleyway.com.