THEATER PREVIEW:

Despite its rather gloomy title, Ivan Menchell’s “The Cemetery Club” really is a comedy and, according to its director, a joyful one.

“Despite the title of our production, this show is about life, love and friendship,” said director Autumn Browne. “It rejoices in the closeness one can feel with another person and reminds us that great friends, like great wine, get better with passing time.”

“The Cemetery Club,” which opens next weekend for the Huntington Beach Playhouse, revolves around three Jewish widows whose husbands died one after another in the span of a few years. They meet once a month at the graves of their husbands to discuss the perspectives of their lives.

The movie version, with a rather impressive cast (Ellen Burstyn, Olympia Dukakis and Diane Ladd), came out in 1993.

Browne, with a background in journalism and stand-up comedy, began her career reporting news and weather for a local television station. Moving to Hollywood, she soon established herself as a television actress, filming more than 20 national commercials.

She has worked in major nightclubs throughout Southern California as a stand-up comedienne, including headlining at the renowned Comedy Store. Browne joined the New Voices playwrights’ troupe in Costa Mesa a decade ago, where she met English writer Michael Buss. They’ve been married since 1999.

She calls her current assignment “a glorious opportunity to work on a play that celebrates women.” The play’s characters, all in their 50s, take on the other challenges life has to offer.

“Each age has its own special wonders, attractions, magic and beauty,” Brown said , citing a comment from Lucille Ball: “The secret to staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly and lie about your age.”

The Huntington Beach Playhouse’s production of “The Cemetery Club” will feature performances from Suzanne Grady, Mary Hall, Ron Rudolph, Dee Shandera and Beth Titus.

Veteran writer and playwright Chris Trela will be covering this one for the Independent.

“The Cemetery Club” will be presented in the Library Theater at the Huntington Beach Central Library, 7111 Talbert Ave., with weekend performances through Oct. 14. Tickets may be reserved by calling (714) 375-0696.