“12 Dinners is a gem of a production. Steve Ross's ‘slice-of-life’ familial revelations remind us of how human and valued we are even in times of turmoil and strife.”

NOTES: The performance I attended had to take place indoors as there was a threat of thunder and lightning storm.

When I refer to the actor playing Steve, I’ll refer to him as Ben or Skipper. When I refer to the playwright, I’ll refer to him either as Steve or Ross.


Playwright Steve Ross’s ‘12 Dinners’ takes place in the dining room of 272 Aberdeen Road in Beamsville, Ontario. It’s 1995.

The script is structured as a first-person narrative. At the top of the show, Steve (Ben Skipper) breaks the fourth wall and speaks to the audience. He periodically stops the play's action to give focus and attention to something important to remember.

Steve has a monthly dinner with his parents, Bettye (Jane Spidell) and Jim (Geoffrey Pounsett). The play’s title intrigues me – there is no need to say, ‘A Year in the Life of Steve and his family.’

12 monthly dinners denote the same idea. Clever.

During the pre-show, there’s a sense that Ross presents a typical family living their lives. A pre-recorded soundtrack of easy-listening pop songs/music can be heard as the audience enters. Pounsett appears relaxed when he appears on stage. He sits at the dining table and reads his newspaper. Knowing this play is about family, I just thought Bettye would be off in the kitchen preparing dinner. If we use our imagination, the delicious aroma of the meal would emanate from the kitchen.

Set Designer Darren Burkett has chosen an ordinary dining table, chairs, and hutch to set the story. There’s nothing ostentatious about the room, and there’s a sense that many meals have probably taken place here.

An elegant-looking clean, yet worn rug is placed underneath the table. Several props are placed in the hutch, and many are brought on from backstage. It’s a testament to the actors to remember which props will be used for upcoming scenes. The actors smoothly remove the props and place them where needed for each scene.

Monique Lund has assembled comfortable-looking clothes for the family. Geoffrey Pounsett is dressed in khakis, a matching green shirt, and dark shoes. Jane Spidell wears a colourful skirt, white blouse, pink sweater, and easy slip-on shoes.

I did a metaphorical double-take when Ben Skipper entered and began speaking. Having met and talked with Steve Ross many times, Skipper respectfully has assumed his character’s mannerisms, vocal tones, and physical walking gait. I’ve learned that Steve isn’t about to impress anyone with the latest fashion style for men. He’s far more interested in speaking to people and getting to know them. Like Ross, Skipper dresses in clean clothes that fit and match and wears comfortable-looking shoes.

‘12 Dinners' is razor-sharp at one point, comically amusing the next and heart-rending a few moments later. Compassionately directed by Jan Alexandra Smith, Steve Ross’s autobiographical tale of diverging generational differences, combined with the courage of character and strength of unconditional familial love, comes to life with finesse thanks to courageous performances.

The Ross family has not seen eye to eye all the time. Truthfully, has any family ever done that?

Jane Spidell’s Bettye becomes a compelling matriarchal figure in Steve’s life. As Steve, Skipper calls Bettye ‘the most complicated Ross.’ Spidell’s lovely smile is heartwarming when we first see her. Her wry sense of humour made me grin when the audience learned why Bettye placed the letter ‘e’ at the end of her name.

The complication ensues when Bettye’s behaviour begins changing alarmingly, with emotional highs and lows before her son’s and husband’s eyes. Jim and Steve must navigate themselves carefully as their patience wears thin. Spidell genuinely captures this emotional roller coaster ride with passion and zeal. Her voice stingingly spits daggers at the two men when she lashes out. It’s harsh and rash, hurting the two men who love Bettye. As an audience member, I have also felt and sometimes personally experienced those 'slings and arrows.’

Steve describes Jim as ‘the smartest Ross.’ Smart because he knows and sees his wife is unwell. Jim understands that those vicious outbursts are not the woman he loves. Smart as well because Jim remembers his wedding vows – “For better, for worse…in sickness and in health…”

Pounsett’s Jim remains stoic. There’s a strength and reserve of determination in his performance to find out what’s wrong with his wife and deal with the situation as best as possible. Pounsett finds those believable moments when Bettye pushes him to his limit. He tightens his lips together, his fists clenched for fear that he might say something he shouldn’t.

Ben Skipper is terrific in his performance as Steve. He comes across as a hell of a nice guy, just like Ross. But as I’ve learned from ’12 Dinners’ we all carry emotional baggage. In those emotionally vulnerable scripted moments when truths are unveiled (with radical fortitude, as Jan Alexandra Smith writes in her Director’s Note), Skipper remains entirely and genuinely interested and focused in the moment. His eyes believably convey tremendous internal angst that I’m sure we’ve all felt at one time in our lives.

And Another Thought: ’12 Dinners’ is a gem of a production. It touches the heart because we’ve all been there with our families at one point. I hope other theatre companies, professional and non-professional, pick it up for future slates.

Give this Here for Now World Premiere a look.

Running time: approximately one hour and 15 minutes with no interval.

’12 Dinners’ runs until August 3 at the Stratford Perth Museum, 4275 Huron Road or, 4275 Line 34, Stratford, ON N5A 6S6.

For tickets: www.herefornowtheatre.com or call the Box Office (519) 272-4368.

THE WORLD PREMIERE
12 DINNERS by Steve Ross
A HERE FOR NOW THEATRE presentation
Directed by Jan Alexandra Smith
Set Design by Darren Burkett
Costume Design by Monique Lund
Stage Manager: Kelsey Rae

Performers: Ben Skipper, Jane Spidell, Geoffrey Pounsett.