Cast of “‘Love, Loss and What I Wore,” from left - Jaclyn Young, Sarah Holt, Vivian Allvin, Tamieka Chavis, Shaina Murphy, Marilyn Bennett. Photo by Traci J. Brooks Studio/Courtesy of NextStop Theatre
"Who did I think I was when I bought this?" a voice says. A mother's voice reverberates, "Is that what you are going to wear?" These words will be front-and-center at NextStop Theatre's regional premiere of a comedy that is not for women only. It is "Love, Loss and What I Wore," written by Delia and Nora Ephron based on a book by Ilene Beckerman.
In a spirited interview conversation with show director Lorraine McGee and cast members Vivian Allvin, Marilyn Bennett, Tamieka Chavis, Sarah Holt, Shaina Murphy and Jaclyn Young, the outline of "Love, Loss and What I Wore" was clear. The show is a series of shared stories that are funny, moving, heartfelt and eye-opening. The ensemble will play multiple roles representing women during the present time remembering their pasts in over 25 separate scenes.
The show's storyline centers on how the characters feel about themselves and what clothes may say about someone. "Love, Lose and What I Wore" won the 2010 Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience.
Where and When
"Love, Loss and What I Wore" at NextStop Theatre, 269 Sunset Park Drive, Herndon. Performances Feb. 12- March 1. Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m., with matinee on Saturday, Feb. 15 at 2 p.m. and evening performance on Sunday, Feb. 22 at 7 p.m. Tickets: $28. Call: 866-811-4111 or visit: http://www.nextstop…">http://www.nextstop…/
McGee indicated this production was unique; not only with an all-female cast, but with nearly an all-female technical and design crew. The production "showcases and highlights so many talented women artists." And when the cast takes on different characters "they change who they are right before the eyes not just by putting on different clothes or shoes, but through gestures, attitude, postures, body language and how they use their voices."
Cast members will recollect stories representing many different women, from all walks of life at different points in their lives. They will speak about their mothers, boyfriends, husbands, ex-husbands, sisters and children. The stories will be of good times and bad; always with memories of what certain clothes meant to them at the time.
The ensemble spoke in agreement that "clothes can be used as cover, clothes can be a mask to hide vulnerability and clothes can help a woman get by when times are tough." They laughed in unison when the matter of purses came up.
Industrial Strength Theatre patrons will be seated at cabaret tables, close to the performers who will work on a circular riser in the center of the theater space. The audience will become part of the performance as they take to heart an album of shared stories.
Knowing glances, nudges and nods of recognition are expected as the dialogue and situations resonate.