By Janette Turner

If you’ve ever wanted to see the world’s most dysfunctional family, now’s your chance. The Phoenix Theatre’s production of “The Golden State” brings to life Gertrude Hopper (Melanie Calderwood), a rich woman with as much maternal instinct for her daughter Sylvia (Wendy Enden) and jean-shorts wearing son, Cubby (Terrence Boyd), as a wooden porcupine.

With breasts that look as if she performed the plastic surgery herself, Gertrude plans to marry off her son to a wealthy widow (D. Knoop), and toss in her daughter’s womb as a wedding gift. It’s absurd, just the way playwright Lauren Wilson designed it, based on a farce by Moliere, called “The Miser.” As her son proclaims in Lauren Wilson’s broad comedy, “Children can’t depend on the generosity of their parents forever, or in (Gertrude’s) case, ever.”

But don’t tax yourself looking for a moral in this state of chaos. It’s all slap and schtick as the siblings and servants (Austin Gregory, Kelsey Hamilton, and Kelsey Jacobs) battle the battle-axe over Frederico (Joseph Perez) in a Speedo, culminating in a groping moment director Eric Lewis considers his favorite. I won’t give it away, but the audience on Saturday night was in stitches. And like all kitsch, there is a bit of wisdom. The farce faces avarice head-on with bombastic glee.

If you like your dysfunction dysfunctional, then The Phoenix Theatre’s “The Golden State” is the place to be.

Recommended for ages 13 and older for situations involving Speedos. Tickets and show times at https://www.phoenixtheatreedmonds.com

Other noteworthy local events:
This weekend, Elwood P. Wood and his imaginary rabbit continue their run with the Driftwood Players in the Pulitzer-Prize winning classic, “Harvey,” at the Wade James Theatre. You can find tickets and show times here.

Friday, April 13, 11:30 a.m., Art Spa at ArtWorks. Enjoy a comfortable space, hot and cold running water, easels and minimal distractions as you produce art. Cost is $5/day. Check the website for available days and info.

Friday, April 13, 1 p.m. Edmonds Senior Center hosts live band music and dancing, no partner necessary, $3. Event is held every Friday.

Saturday, April 14, 9 a.m., join Rick Steves for free travel classes at Edmonds Center for the Arts. Register in advance by calling 425-771-8303, Ext. 298 or visit www.ricksteves.com

Saturday, April 14th, noon, the Edmonds Bookshop will host three debut authors of fiction for young readers: Marissa Burt, author of “Storybound,” about a girl who finds herself in a land of story; J. Anderson Coats’s “The Wicked and the Just,” features a girl in medieval Wales forced to move to an unfamiliar land; and Anne Nesbet’s “The Cabinet of Earths,” about a girl named Maya, caught up in old magic in Paris.

Sunday, April 15, 3 p.m., Cascade Symphony Ensemble Concert at Edmonds United Methodist Church.

Sunday, April 15, 6 p.m., the Checkerboard Squares offer a free initial square dancing lesson at Edmonds Masonic Center, 515 Dayton St.

Advance notice:
Monday, April 23, 6:30 p.m. – If you are a designer or artist wondering why your designs on Etsy end up being mass-produced and sold in major stores without your consent, now is your chance to learn how to protect your creations. “Keeping Control of Your Designs: An Intellectual Property Law and Branding Workshop for the Seattle Fashion Industry,” will be held at Karr Tuttle Campbell, 1201 Third Ave., #2900, Seattle. The free event is hosted by Edmonds patent attorney Priya Cloutier, and PR agent Amalia Martino of Edmonds-based Blue Shoes Media; an RSVP is required to Jessica Smith at jsmith@karrtuttle.com or 206-224-8296.

Arts reporter Janette Turner is your guide to local culture.  In addition to covering visual, performing and literary events for MyEdmondsNews, Janette is managing director of EPIC Literary Series and a member of the Swedish Hospital Art Committee. Contact her about the arts at arts@myedmondsnews.com.