“Five Women” congregate at the Mondanaro Theatre
Get ready to take an unforgettable and hilarious trip down the aisle with 3rd Act’s “Five Women Wearing the Same Dress” at the Mondanaro Theater.
The play, a thesis for second-year graduate student and director Becky Lieberman, tells the story of five bridesmaids who take refuge from a wedding reception in the sister-of-the-bride’s bedroom. At first, wearing the same dress appears to be the only thing they all have in common. But each bridesmaid ends up being as different, boisterous and hysterically funny as the next, leaving audience members laughing from one scene after another.
The actresses had great chemistry with one another, performing with great energy and comedic timing. Even though there was a slight prop malfunction during the preview night, they brushed it off like professionals and carried on with the scenes.
The set, which was designed by Giacinto Mirto, reflected an 80s look, with posters of “The Breakfast Club” and vinyls scattered around the room.
The first bridesmaid to hide in the bedroom is Frances, played by Laura Spears. Frances is the all-around good girl who’s constantly preaching her faith. She annoys Trisha, played by Amy White, a woman with a reputation for breaking every sin in she can.
Trisha’s friend, Georgeanne, played by Blake Shutterly, makes a grand entrance by bursting through the door half-drunk and half-brokenhearted after seeing her ex-lover. Shutterly acts through the entire play with a champagne bottle in one hand, mascara running down her face and occasional drunken sobs.
Mindy, the groom’s sister, played by Sara Turner, stumbles in and trips over practically everything with a plate full of food. And finally there is Meredith, played by Renee LaCroix, the bride’s rebellious sister who owns the room the bridesmaids seek shelter in. She hates her life and everyone in it, and wants to move as far away from it as possible.
With five women stuck in a bedroom, it is anything but “girl time.” These women discuss everything from men, to sex, to abuse, to how society believes women should behave and look, all the while smoking pot and drowning in champagne. It’s an earlier-set version of “Bridesmaids.”
Despite all of the comedy, drama unfolds as Meredith reveals a long-time secret regarding the resident heartthrob, Tommy Valentine. There’s a bit of romance too as Tripp, the only male in the play, shows up in Meredith’s room and flirts with Trisha, a scene which is awkward and leaves the theater uncomfortably quiet.
“Five Women Wearing the Same Dress” is the perfect show to watch during finals. The performance will leave audiences laughing, and is definitely an unforgettable wedding reception.
The show is free at 8 p.m. and will be performed through March 9.
