The Arvada Playhouse's current production of Squabbles delivers a message of love in a comedic fashion. It focuses on the idiosyncrasies of Abe Dreyfuss, a 73-year-old widower who is recovering from a heart attack. To help him recover, he moves in with his daughter and her husband. Everything is going along fine, well at least not horrendously, when his son-in-law's mother, whom Dreyfuss cannot stand, comes to live with them after her house burns down. Adding to the complications is the fact that Alice, Dreyfuss's daughter, discovers that she is pregnant.

A great strength of the play is the chemistry between the four main characters. While Charlie Ault (who plays Dreyfuss) has developed this with his wife Donna (who plays Mildred Sloan) with whom he has acted many times, there is no less of a relationship between the other actors. This allows them to deliver a punch line with perfect timing.

For example, the scenes between Alice (played by Laurel Harris) and Jerry (played by Jon Blanciak) in which they are discussing what to do with their parents are full of comedy that depends upon timing. A great moment is captured when Alice surprises her husband with the quick, matter-of-fact way in which she relates the demise of her grandfather. The humor of the show is further enhanced by Vincent Dominguez, who plays a neighbor who regularly comes over to the couple's house presumably to do work though he spends most of his time using the bathroom.

One of the drawbacks to the show, though, is the time between scenes. With no music playing and the cast taking time to setup for the next scene, the momentum that had been built starts to dissipate. Furthermore, the multiple entrances to the home seem awkward. Sometimes the same entrances are used to exit the home or simply to go elsewhere in the home.

What the show ultimately offers, though, is a tale of cantankerous people learning how to live and love together. It is also done in a manner that will amuse. Most importantly to the success of the show, however, is the great chemistry with which the cast works.

This A- production is showing at the Festival Playhouse through May 11.