New VWCT comedy set to begin next week

VW independent/submitted information

The next production at the Van Wert Civic Theatre, The Savannah Sipping Society, opens Thursday, January 23, for an eight-performance run over two weekends. 

The play, written by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope, and Jamie Wooten, centers around four women who, after meeting by chance at a hot yoga studio, plan to meet for drinks. They soon form a strong bond around the desire to regain the enthusiasm for life they once had. 

Such a show requires four strong actors willing to be vulnerable during the show while fully committed to trusting each other. 

“I have been blessed with four women who are literally forming relationships with each other as they work to bring the relationships of the characters to life,” said Director Mary Ann Falk. “The audiences of this show are in for a real treat. You will be laughing one moment and dabbing your eyes the next.”  

Portraying the women in this laugh-a-minute comedy are Nicolle Merkel as Randa, a recently fired architect with financial woes; Terry Plas as Dot, a widow who misses the retirement life she never had with her husband; Amy McConn as Marlafaye, a nurse turned liquor distributor after a nasty divorce; and Jan Miller as Jinx, a beauty consultant with designs on being a life coach. A special appearance is made by Stephanie Wagner as Cordelia Covington.

The intimate performance space of the VWCT venue at 118 S. Race St. in Van Wert, works particularly well for this production. Those who attend the show may feel like they are sitting on a veranda in Savannah. What could be a better experience during these cold winter days? 

The Savannah Sipping Society runs January 23-26 and 30-31, and February 1-2. Shows are at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets go on sale Monday, January 20. Call 419.238.9689 from 2-6 p.m., Monday through Friday, or go to www.vwct.org to buy tickets online. All tickets are $16 and must be paid for at the time of the reservation.      

Anyone buying a ticket for opening night, January 23, is invited to a wine and cheese reception beginning at 7:15 p.m. in the lower lobby. The reception is hosted by the women of The Savannah Sipping Society and the VWCT Board of Directors.