LowellArts’ fall dinner theater production is set to hit the stage at Larkin’s Other Place. Opening night is October 21 for The Dixie Swim Club by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope, and Jamie Wooten and will be directed by Randi Richardson. This comedy features an ensemble of five college friends who get together once a year. Their plight as individuals and as a group shows how friendship is an important life component.
Lowell’s community theater is top-notch, putting on quality shows which entertain. Most of the productions are directed by and cast with local residents. Larkin’s Other Place provides a historic backdrop for an evening or afternoon of entertainment.
Friendships Ebb and Flow: Meet the Cast
The Dixie Swim Club has audience members following a group of friends, looking in as they gather once a year to reminisce and make new memories. The relationship between the five women began when they were all part of a college swim team. Throughout these times together, the quintet goes through ups and downs. They see and bring out the best and worst of each other as they learn secrets, have struggles, and cheer each other on.
Sheree Hollinger, played by Lisa Erb, was the team captain and tries to maintain the leadership role in the group. This is Erb’s second time on the stage at Larkin’s Other Place. She made her debut earlier this year in Tony ‘n’ Tina’s Wedding. She credits her childhood for sparking the thespian within. She lived near Cain Park in Ohio, which has one of the largest outdoor theater space in the country. “All of us neighborhood kids spent every day we could watching rehearsals for 3 musicals a summer. After dinner we put on ‘backyard shows’ on the picnic table using sheets on a clothesline for a curtain. We even had a designated critic with a ‘hook’.” says Erb as she reflects on years past.
Dinah Grayson is portrayed by Laurie Kuna. A retired English teacher, Sing On, Tomb With a View, Playbytes by Playwrights, and Steel Magnolias are included in Kuna’s past productions with LowellArts Players. She also starred in and was the assistant director for Tony ‘n’ Tina’s Wedding, and starred in and directed Moll. Musical theater is where her love for the stage began. In junior high and high school Kuna was in choir, which put her in chorus for musicals. Aside from one junior high production it wasn’t until becoming an adult did she have a speaking role. Kuna says she has some similarities with the character she plays but notes one difference saying, “I went into teaching and she’s a lawyer so our career paths were nothing alike. Although you could argue that both lawyers and teachers have to have a bit of acting talent to do their jobs.”
Jeri Neal is taken on by Martha Hayden who is a teacher at Cherry Creek Elementary School. Other LowellArts productions she has been in include Alice in Wonderland, Tomb With a View, and Play On. Agreeing with Kuna, Hayden says, “I enjoy ‘acting’ daily as I teach second grade which helps keep the students’ interest.” Hayden’s character is people pleaser of the group and learns how to free herself from meekness as she comes into her own.
Vernadette Simms’ shoes are filled by Diana Roush who has been in more than 20 LowellArts productions. She loves acting and says became interested in theater while in high school, crediting her mom for the introduction. Roush’s character lives a hectic life which she embraces but it doesn’t make it any easier.
Lexie Richards is given life by Deanna Small. This is her second performance with LowellArts after debuting in Playbytes by Playwrights. Lexie grasps youth and her looks but must grip harder as years pass by. Small gives friend Pat Cradit a nod as the person who got her into theater.
The five characters dramatized in The Dixie Swim Club share their friendship with the audience through laughter, sarcasm, and harsh words. But oftentimes the most challenging of relationships and situations become a lasting bond. Theatergoers witness over three decades of friendship watching characters and their relationship with each other and themselves develop. The five actresses, along with their director, have also bonded over the course of preparing for opening night.
Directing the Cast
Lowell’s First Look first met Randi Richardson when writing about her Chair-a-Tee entry. This is the fourth time she has been involved with a LowellArts production. She appeared in Steel Magnolias and The Surprising Story of the Three Little Pigs, wrote and performed in Someone To Talk To, and The Dixie Swim Club is her debut as a director. Being one of her favorite plays, it was easy to accept the role overseeing action on the stage.
Richardson has enjoyed watching the characters come alive and says, “Working with this cast has been a real joy. I was fortunate to have five funny, warm women to work, learn, and play with. It doesn’t get any better or luckier than that.” of those she guides on stage. She’s dedicating the productions to her husband and four granddaughters.
Most of the cast has worked with Richardson in the past in some capacity, therefore making them eager to try out for the fall production. The six women have bonded during their time rehearsing. “A great experience. We bonded quickly.”, “Excellent, fun!”, and “There’s an excellent dynamic here.”, and “Working with this cast has been a real joy.” are just a few of the things the women had to say about each other.
Experience Live Theater
The Dixie Swim Club cast is sure to pull the audience in, experiencing various emotions along with their characters. The hilarious dialog, quirky characters, and a heartwarming story are things which will stay with those who see the show. When asked what she’s most looking forward to when there’s an audience to perform before, Richardson smiles saying, “What I love the most is the sound of laughter. Just making people happy. Enjoy the show.”
Opening night is Friday, October 20. Those who turn out for the show will have the opportunity to enjoy a meal before the show starts. Tickets range from $16 – $20 with an additional $13 if a meal is included. Evening shows will begin at 7:30pm with dinner served at 6:30pm. Tickets for evening performances can also be purchased without a meal. A Saturday matinée on October 28 does not include a meal.
Tickets can be purchased online through the LowellArts webpage, over the phone by calling 616-897-8545 to pay with a credit card, or by stopping by LowellArts located at 223 W. Main Tuesday – Friday 10am-6pm, or at the door (advanced reservations are required for dinner). LowellArts Members receive a $2 discount off one ticket with family memberships receiving the discount for up to four tickets (discounted tickets cannot be purchased online). Groups of 10 or more can also receive a $2 discount per ticket.
For more information about LowellArts Players visit their webpage. Theater is just one aspect of the arts offered in the community by LowellArts. The Summer Concert Series, numerous classes, gallery exhibitions, and more allow people of all ages to experience the arts.
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