ANNA MARIA – The Island Players gave an outstanding performance of “Regrets Only,” by Paul Rudnick, last Sunday afternoon to a full house. The story is rather modern, set in the George W. Bush presidency and located in uptown New York. The subject matter also was modern as it dealt with the acceptance of homosexuality and gay marriage.

Heiko Knipfelberg directed the play and gave an inspired performance as Hank Hadley, a gay fashion designer who recently lost his partner after living together for many years.

Stephen Horowitz excels as Jack McCullough, an attorney who has been asked by the Bush administration to come up with a plan to not allow the legalization of gay marriage in the country. He enlists his up-and-coming attorney daughter, Spencer, played brilliantly by 15-year-old Haley Hines.

Sylvia Marnie, as Tibby McCullough, was the glue that held the storyline together. A wonderfully talented actress, Marnie was especially adept in reacting to and playing off of the other characters.

Robin Rhodes was hilarious as Myra Kesselman, the maid who often talks to the others in a foreign accent to hide the fact she is, “the only Jewish maid in Manhattan.” She did a sterling job of zipping onstage to provide a funny remark to something somebody said and her timing was perfect.

Kathy Hansel-Edgerton made her appearance in the second act wearing a ridiculous looking hat, a trash bag for a dress and shoeboxes instead of shoes. She looked that way because the gay community had gone on strike after hearing of the Bush administration plans to block the legalization of gay marriages. That strike affected Spencer, who was getting married soon, and she feared the protest would affect her wedding.

After that, the characters all gather together and some reveal that they are also gay. Tibby acts thoroughly confused while witnessing the events. The friends confront her, and she drops her mousy veneer and makes her views known in a big way.

Overall, the play is timely, compelling and hilarious, while the comic timing of the characters is crisp and spot on.

For ticket information, call the box office at 778-5755.