Atlanta Play Takes Funny, Heartbreaking Look At Alzheimer’s

It’s difficult to laugh at Alzheimer’s Disease. It’s also difficult to endure any hardship without laughter.

“There’s humor in every situation … You’re not going to live through it without the full range of emotion,” Atlanta actress Carolyn Cook observed in a conversation with Lois Reitzes on “City Lights.”

Drawing from personal experience, Cook portrays Vivienne Avery, a daughter caring for her mother who is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. It’s important to Vivienne that she “make this an experience that validates her mom all the way to the end,” Cook said. 

“Blackberry Winter” director Ariel Fristoe added that Vivienne is “absolutely determined not to be sentimental and not to be a victim.” Both Cook and Fristoe admire that quality in Vivienne, and laud playwright Steve Yockey for his creation.

“Blackberry Winter,” a co-production between Actor’s Express and Out of Hand Theater, is now playing and runs through Nov. 22 at Actor’s Express.