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VALDOSTA — Five years ago, Theatre Guild Valdosta may not have been able to present a comedy like “Sordid Lives,” opening Thursday evening and running the next two weekends.

But then, in the past few years, Valdosta has seen two productions of “Chicago,” “Cabaret,” and other, more mature-audience shows. The Guild and Clay Lee know that “Sordid Lives” pushes the limits. They have opted for the playwright Del Shores’ version that waters down some of the language and content.

“The playwright knew it would be too much for some conservative communities,” Lee says. Even with this version, the Guild still “scrubbed it up” some more.

So what’s “Sordid Lives” about?

The plot, according to the Arizona Republic: “The fact (the grandmother) was cheating with her best friend’s husband isn’t the only shocking revelation that follows in the wake of her death. As the funeral nears, her daughters toss one skeleton after another out of the family closet as they wage war over whether their mother should be buried in her favorite fur stole. The true story of the family son, Brother Boy, emerges; he has been institutionalized for more than 20 years because he insists on dressing as Tammy Wynette. Attempts by his psychoanalyst to convert him to heterosexuality (so she can get on Oprah) are driving him nuts. Oh, yes, there’s the grandson, a television actor who wants to come out to his family but isn’t sure how to go about it. He’s the only normal person onstage.”

The people on stage are also mostly new to The Dosta Playhouse. Guild veterans Ken Kinard and Patti Cook are part of this ensemble cast. “Sordid Lives” marks the return of Earl Lehkamp, who played shy eccentric Charlie in this spring’s Guild production of “The Foreigner,” and plays the eccentric Brother Boy here. Like he did with “The Foreigner,” Lehkamp is traveling back and forth between Valdosta and his home in Jacksonville, Fla., to play the role.

This is Lee’s directorial debut with Theatre Guild Valdosta, and he says “Sordid Lives” is, quite simply, a very funny play.

It is also different in format. It is quartered into four chapters. Each chapter is designed so it could stand on its own as a one-act play. Put the four together, however, and everything falls into place, Lee says. Monologues from the character Ty hold all four chapters together.

“Sordid Lives” marks the start of Theatre Guild Valdosta’s 2008-09 season as well as the first show of the region’s new season.



THE CAST: Cindy Quick, Michael Crocker, Judy McCormak, Raynae Williams, Michelle Gaines, Patti Cook, Ken Kinard, Malachi Waring, Steve Betros, Barbara Williams, Pamela Palmer, Earl Lehkamp.

DIRECTION, PRODUCTION: Clay Lee, director; Mary Helen Taylor, assistant director; Jim Rinehart, stage manager; Jeff Stubbs, props manager; Catherine Lee, costumes; Mary Ann Green, lights and sound; Jennifer Scott, publicity; Phil Jones, head usher; Jerry Ellis, Mike Glasscock, Mary Helen Taylor, Clay Lee, Michelle Gaines, Steve Betros, Mal Waring, Catherine Lee, Jeff Stubbs, John Nagy, set construction; Jeff Stubbs, Jim Rinehart, Bob Baldree, John Nagy, Brian Nelson, Jeff Watson, Mary Helen Taylor, Cathy Deyo.



SHOWTIME

Theatre Guild Valdosta presents Del Shores’ “Sordid Lives.”

When: The show plays 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday, Saturday; 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24; 8 p.m., Aug. 28, 29, 30.

Where: The Dosta Playhouse, 122 N. Ashley St.

Ticket: $12.

More information, reservations: Call 24-STAGE; or visit www.theatreguildvaldosta.com