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Weddings, in themselves, are theatrical events. The pomp of such a ceremony brings forth the heights of emotions, both positive and negative. Surprisingly, most weddings, while trying to be positive experiences, almost always wind up being negative for everyone involved. In Alan Ball's play, "Five Women Wearing the Same Dress", the action taking place outside on the lawn where the reception is being held is not nearly as juicy as the goings on in the bride's sisters room. There, the five bridesmaids have gathered to deal with the jealousies, heartbreaks, and misjudgments that have brought them to their separate, though strangely similar, positions.
In Mixed Company and director Jean Thomsen have turned the Herberger Theatre into a combination of wedding reception and confessional where five women, the bride's (anarchist) sister, the bride's former best friends (one a compulsive eater and worrier, the other a soured hopeless romantic), the bride's (Christian) cousin, and the groom's (lesbian) sister, take part in a bitch session that is at turns hilarious and wrenching. Seemingly different people, who only share the bride and groom in common, soon discover basic similarities that bring them together into a union that seems destined to last long after the expensive festivities outside have passed.
The script does suffer a bit from it's scattershot technique of trying to touch on every hot-button topic, from extra-marital affairs to homosexuality to child abuse, especially near the end. The playwright commits the cardinal sin of comedies by taking himself too seriously at times in the second act, where the snappy dialogue becomes burdened by long discussions on difficult topics, but it's consistent return to its wry humor helps it to never topple over from its own weightiness.
There are several joys of this production. The first comes from the director's wonderful pacing, which keeps the show moving at a brisk pace, even during some of those troublesome "dramatic" moments. Another is the experimental feel of the show which has transformed part of the audience of the Herberger to the actual reception area, including tables, chairs, and waitresses serving drinks and, during the intermission, handing out wedding cake. The five actresses, though, are definitely the glue that binds all of these joys together.
Strongest of this talented cast is the ever funny Ginny Harmon, playing the lovable and love-lorn Georgeanne. She manages to pull off a character that skates the thin ice of self- denigration and selfishness while remaining funny throughout. Also bitingly funny and brutal is Katie McFadzen as Mindy, the lesbian black sheep of the groom's wealthy family. She delivers some classic lines, clumsily bumbles around the stage and all the while acts as a foil to the pining of her heterosexual comrades. Solid performances worthy of mention are also delivered by Suzanne Sanders, Debra Stevens and Martha Slater. The camaraderie of these five is a delight to watch.
Holly Vesely's scenic design and Matt Fabian's lighting design are a treat, bringing the play directly into the audience. It's no mistake that there's a bit of an "environmental" air to their creations; it helps to bring us further into the lives of these characters.
Special notice goes to Katie McFadzen and D. Scott Withers for their work on the costume coordination, which perfectly pegged each character and situation. Even the photographer who scurries around during the entertainment-filled intermission is dressed in the perfect costume.
This show ran to sold-out performances at the Seventh Street Theatre earlier this year, and, despite the change in scale from that theatre to the Herberger, has guaranteed itself another popular run through the end of June. In Mixed Company has topped it's impressive past once again by offering Phoenix the chance to become a member of the wedding one last time. This talented group never ceases to amaze, and never allows itself to be pigeonholed into a certain type of theatre; the only thing you can be sure of is quality entertainment.
Production Details:
"Five Women Wearing the Same Dress" by Alan Ball
Herberger Theatre, Phoenix
252-TIXS
June 20th-30th, 1996
$13.25 (General Admission)
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