"The Dixie Swim Club" at the Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre is a very unusual work. Its cast of five talent women each has their own quirks and idiosyncrasies. The characters are drawn beautifully. The script covers 33 years. The first act starts 22 years after they graduate from college. The second scene in the first act is five years later. The second act opens another five years later with the second scene in act two a huge 25 years later. Unfortunately this very talented cast does not age in acting, gesturing, costumes or makeup until the last scene when the performers wear grey wigs.
Sarah Hund is excellent as Vernadette who is accident prone and has a weak bladder. Jill Kelly also reveals her tremendous acting talent as Lexie, the egotistical one who is so in love with herself. Angela R. Plank as Sheree, the organizer and health food nut does a good job also. Rita Thomas as Dinah, the lawyer who has a drinking problem is very entertaining. Laurie Walton as Jeri Neal portrays the ex-nun comically. J. R. Stuart directed this piece sometimes brilliantly, at other times flatly while still getting laughs.
This touching comedy is about friendships that last forever. It plays through to February 12th when the musical "Legally Blonde" moves in.
