by Molly Walsh
Olympia Little Theatre’s 87th season opens with the wacky and playful comedy, “Keep on Laughing” by Paul Elliott, running September 11-27. “Keep on Laughing” is a sequel to “Exit Laughing,” which was performed by Olympia Little Theatre in March 2026. Combining rapid-fire dialogue and plenty of entendre, “Keep on Laughing” presents poignant undertones that explore an enduring question: are you ever too old to have fun?
“Laughing” revisits longtime friends, Jilyna Layne as Connie, Marci Ballou as Leona and Debbie Sampson as Millie, who have become intrepid world travelers after the passing of their friend and beloved bridge partner, Mary. As the trio returns home from a European adventure, Connie’s daughter, Rachel (Emma Thomas), anticipates the birth of twins with her husband, Bobby (Kody Paterson). Chaos ensues when Rachel learns of her mother’s whirlwind Paris romance and ongoing courtship with a much-younger French man.
The main cast of “Exit Laughing” and director Dave Marsh have resumed their roles for the production of “Keep on Laughing.” A theatrical production tends to be an intense but brief period of time wherein the cast and crew bond through countless rehearsals, script memorization and the final production. But after the final curtain call, the cast and crew typically go their separate ways. According to Marsh, it is a rare theatrical opportunity to take part in a play’s sequel that also reunites the original cast.
“Now, for the first time in 40 years of doing theater, I’ve got the same group, and we’re doing it again. It is so interesting,” said Marsh.
Marsh’s four-decades in theater includes experience as an actor and director. “Keep on Laughing” marks the sixth production Marsh has directed for Olympia Little Theatre in the past five years. Some of Marsh’s previous directing experience includes “One From the Shelf” productions for The Evergreen Playhouse in Centralia, and summer productions of “Seussical the Musical” and “Mean Girls Junior” for Creative Theatre Experience in Olympia. As a well-versed comedic director, Marsh envisions each script as a sitcom playing in his mind’s eye.
“I’ve always been able to read the lines and see the comic timing in it,” said Marsh.
Marsh’s skillset has been especially helpful during the production of “Keep on Laughing,” with a script and character dynamic reminiscent of fan-favorite television shows from the ‘80s and ‘90s, including “The Golden Girls.” Marsh’s directing has also been influenced by Olympia Little Theatre’s three-sided thrust stage, which has been transformed into Connie’s living room just outside of Birmingham, Alabama.
With audiences viewing the show from many different angles, Marsh has paid particular attention to character movement across the stage, ensuring each element of a scene fits together like a photograph. Ahead of opening night, Marsh is especially looking forward to the energy that comes only from performing in front of a live audience.
“Until you get the audience in there and get their responses back, that’s when it really just comes to life,” said Marsh.
Anthony Keen served as assistant director and is now the stage manager for “Keep on Laughing.” According to Keen, the initial stages of preparation ”have differed from other plays. There were no auditions to mark the beginning of the production, and instead there was an introductory readthrough with the cast months ahead of time.”
“This experience showed how important it is for the cast to know their characters individually and for the cast to gel,” said Keen. “That all carried over into our rehearsals for this show from the last one and that let us hit the ground running in a different and exciting way.”
The cast of “Keep on Laughing” have been excited to revisit these characters during rehearsals, and to use that sense of familiarity to add depth to their performance, including creative ways to utilize the set, and homages to the original production of “Exit Laughing” sprinkled throughout.
“Reuniting with this cast feels like a homecoming,” said Jilyna Layne, who plays the character Connie. “Rehearsals are like hanging out with family, and I feel they’ve been even more immersive because of our previous knowledge of these characters. I can’t wait for returning audience members to find (and react to) all the little easter eggs and call backs to “Exit Laughing!”
Audience members who saw the previous production of “Exit Laughing” will have the opportunity to follow the evolving story of Connie, Leona and Millie. But according to Marsh, there is still plenty to enjoy in “Keep on Laughing,” even if audience members haven’t seen the first play. This includes central themes around the value of friendship and living a full life, even with a backdrop of grief.
“You should do what you can to live life to the fullest,” said Marsh. “Getting older does NOT mean you need to slow down. You need to find your joy. Age is just a number not an expiration date.”
WHAT:
“Keep on Laughing” by Paul Elliott
WHEN:
September 11, 12, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26 at 7:25 p.m. and September 13, 20, 27 at 1:55 p.m.
WHERE:
Olympia Little Theater, 1925 Miller Ave. NE, Olympia
HOW MUCH:
$12-$18
LEARN MORE:
https://olympialittletheater.org/shows/dead-mans-cell-phone/