VALDOSTA —
Valdosta State University Theatre & Dance had selected “Love, Loss & What I Wore” as its season-opener months prior to Nora Ephron’s death this summer.
Along with her sister Delia Ephron, Nora Ephron wrote the script to this show based on Ilene Beckerman’s book. And it contains the expected wit, pathos and dramatic effect one would expect from Nora Ephron, the woman who penned screenplays such as “Sleepless in Seattle,” “When Harry Met Sally,” and “Julie & Julia.”
Like these movies, “Love, Loss & What I Wore” focuses on women’s issues, their careers, their relationships with men and their relationships with one another.
As the title suggests, each character’s clothing leads to her tale.
To better understand, take a moment to go through your own wardrobe and associate memories to various articles of clothing and you will see the rich potential for this play.
Through a series of monologues, each member of the VSU all-female student cast plays several roles, says H. Duke Guthrie, the show’s director.
What audiences will soon notice entering the Lab Theatre is the set is a simple line of stools and stands amidst a simple but elegant set designed by new VSU faculty member Ruth Brandvik. “Love, Loss & What I Wore” is a bit of reader’s theatre and more.
At approximately a 90-minute running time, there will be no intermission. Before going, audiences should also recall scenes from past Ephron movies. This show is not for the kids. “Love, Loss and What I Wore” contains mature themes and language.
But audiences should also expect a bit of that Ephron charm and magic as well.
“The magic part is easier given the foundation of Ilene Beckerman’s book of the same name that inspired Nora and Delia Ephron to create this play,” Guthrie says in his director’s notes. “The book is charming, but as the cast and I discovered over our very short rehearsal period, the additional elements provided by the Ephron sisters are significant. We have found the play to be a work of surprising depth.”
THE CAST: Rebecca Morris, Emily Bradford, Courtney Connor, Diamond Do-Zia, Charlotte Grady, D’Amante Wilson, Emmie Axford.
DIRECTION, PRODUCTION: H. Duke Guthrie, director; Ruth Brandvik, secenic designer, faculty advisor to student lighting designer; Patrice Trower, costume designer; Elie Siegel, lighting designer, master electrician; Michael Driggers, technical director; Ryan Ponsell, master carpenter; Matthew Moran, sound engineer; Matthew Tito, projections operator; Esther Iverson, faculty advisor to student costume designer; Kathy Raess-Young, costume shop supervisor; Ryan Ponsell, Elie Siegel, Becky Morris, Genna Kasun, scene shop assistants; Patrice Trower, Rebecca Huguet, costume shop assistants; Caleb Spivey, box office manager; Asia Johnson, Amanda Markham, house managers.
SHOWTIME
VSU Theatre & Dance presents “Love, Loss & What I Wore.”
When: 7:30 p.m. today, Friday and Saturday, Sept. 6, 7, 8; 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 9; 7:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 11, 12.
Where: Lab Theatre, second floor, Valdosta State University Fine Arts Building, corner of Oak and Brookwood.
More information, reservations: Call (229) 333-5973; or visit www.valdosta.edu/comarts
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