OXFORD,
Miss. – University of Mississippi theatre arts students promise to keep
the audience laughing during performances of “Five Women Wearing the
Same Dress” Feb. 11-15 in Meek Hall Auditorium.
The play was
written by Alan Ball, screenwriter for the film “American Beauty” and
creator of the HBO series “Six Feet Under.” It tells the story of five
reluctant bridesmaids from Knoxville, Tenn. During a pretentious
wedding reception, the identically clad women hide in an upstairs
bedroom, each with their own reason to avoid the nuptial proceedings
below.
Curtain times are 8 p.m. each day, plus 2 p.m. matinees
Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $10.50 for general admission, $8.50
for seniors and $7 for UM students with valid IDs. They are available
at the UM Box Office in the Student Union or by calling 662-915-7411.
Due to some sexually explicit language and other sexual references, age
discretion is advised.
“What we see in this play is a lot about these women and their personalities and the issues they have with someone in the wedding or someone at the wedding,” said director Valerie Wilson, theatre arts instructor. “There are a couple of serious moments in the play, but it is a comedy. It’s a fairly raucous, fun time with these bridesmaids.”
Wilson praises her cast for their commitment to producing the show in less than three weeks. “We have a fabulous cast,” she said. “The girls in it are all performing arts students, and they’re just amazing. They all have a good chemistry with each other.”
Heather McMahan, senior theatre arts major from Atlanta who plays the role of Georgeanne, returns the compliment.
“It’s really nice to have a woman directing a female show, when most other directors are men,” McMahan said. “We see it from an entirely different perspective.”
Ashley Dulaney, senior theatre arts major from Tupelo, plays Trisha. She promises that the show will entertain.
“It’s one of those shows where you’ll definitely leave laughing,” she said. “It’s easy for anyone in the audience to relate to one or more of the characters.”
Wilson recommends the show to both men and women. “Even though men might not think this is something for them, I think that they would get a lot of insight into the female psyche,” she said. “It gives them a chance to see what women allow themselves to be like behind closed doors, when they kick off the pumps, sit back and act a little bit more open and a little more free.”
Nick Hauser, sophomore theatre arts major from Dallas, plays Tripp, the only male role.
“It’s definitely a little overwhelming and a little intimidating having that much feminine presence at rehearsals,” Hauser said. “But, at the same time, it’s been great, and the girls are just hilarious.”
Wilson touts the production as a great date show for Valentine’s weekend. “If there are men out there who would like to show their ladies a fun evening, I think they could win some brownie points by bringing a date to see our show,” she said.
She also thinks it would be a “girls night out” opportunity for women. “A group of girlfriends would have a blast at ‘Five Women’ and would doubtless have tons to talk and laugh about when it is over.” Wilson said.
For more information about the Department of Theatre Arts and the production, visit http://www.olemiss.edu/depts/theatre?arts/ . For assistance related to a disability, call 662-915-5816.