FAIRHOPE, Ala. — Theatre 98’s latest production is a comedy that leads you down memory lanes for both women and men — and running fast. To be able to look back on a bumpy married life, after 38 years, caused an opening night’s capacity house to howl with laughter as each patron seemed to identify with similiar passages in their own lives. The audience literally had an unsquelched and uproariously great time from beginning to end.

I doubt if playwright Jerry Mayer’s play could be consider a beacon of journalistic excellence, but it has life, spirit and truths, and recalls lessons worth every second for both husbands and wives. The extremely appreciative audience easily remembered the history paralleling their own lives. It is easier to laugh at identifying episodes in one’s past than to recall the “tragedies” that seemed to happen so innocently in one’s youth.

This play is a hilarious and loving look at the 38 years of Jimmy and Alice Diamond’s marriage. We easily follow them, back and forth over those years, as they move from St. Louis to Hollywood to pursue Jimmy’s dream of comedy writing. We get to visit the triumphs and the compromises that the years bring.

The coupling of this play’s main characters are played by pairs of actors, so we can watch the younger and more mature versions of each character during different stages of their marriage. Jimmy No. 1 is played magnificently by Mike Green, and Jimmy No. 2, played by John Jefferson, was a knockout of talent both in subtlety and hysterical moments while also depicting genuine tragedy. John recently won the Joe Jefferson Playhouse Award for Outstanding Performance By An Actor in a Leading Role, playing King Henry in “The Lion In Winter.”

The two Alices are played superbly by Brenda Hedstrom (No. 2) and Kirstan Culpepper (No. 1), while each manages to make Alice’s level-headedness both charming and sexy.

Mrs. Hedstrom may easily run a well-organized theater in finite detail, but she also applies that same intensity to any character she creates on stage, with Alice being a brilliant example of easy acting styles so comfortable for audiences to enjoy. I believe Hedstrom could have been the model used when the word “multi-talented” was invented.

The final cast member of five, played by a superbly talented Anastasia Arnold Ferrell, delivers a tour-de-force as six totally different characters whose lives briefly intersect the Diamonds’ over the years. This is ensemble inner-playing at its very best. Ferrell delivered identity “stamped people” we have all met or had to deal with along the way, to perfection.

We have learned to never underestimate the importance of the DIRECTOR. Let’s use, for instance, the stage as a blank canvas. The director takes all of a painter’s colors by selecting the best and right actors to create a colorful palette of life on that canvas/stage. Rehearsals/painting is a work in progress. When the director is finshed (to the best of his ability), he then stands back — satisfied — and puts his signature on a masterful creation. John Heald can now place his signature on the “Affair” creation as a job extremely well done. Director Heald deserves a separate huge round of applause for the sure-handed delivery we had the pleasure of experiencing through his talented hands.

Technical talents are also to be applauded big time for “A Love Affair:” Jonne Thornton as technical director’ Jestina Price, production manager; Hilary Martin, stage manager; Pat Cooper and Michelle Patton, costuming; Susan Ames, props; actor Peter Goens, light/sound operating; Diane Robbins, publicity; Julie George, posters and programs; and Jonne Thorton, Brenda Hedstrom, Jaca McLaren, Leslie Johnson, Ron Smith, Timothy Guy, John Jefferson, Jestina Price and John Heald, set construction.

“A Love Affair” is the final play before the Golden Anniversary of Theatre 98, 50 years of parenting wonderful children dedicated to the cultural growth of Fairhope.

Even though an extra performance has been added for this “Affair” production, tickets were sold out before the play could open. Word of mouth travels fast, particularly when the reputation of Theatre 98 is so well-known and respected.

I truly wish I could say rush, don’t just leisurely drive, to Theatre 98 and get your ticket to see this producdtion. The “Sold Out” sign is always a welcome praise to any theater, but to anyone who has to miss the play, it is a sad moment not to be recaptured.

It is recommended to call the box office (251-928-4366) and leave a message with your evening phone number. You can always hope for a standby seat.