Now playing at the Merrick Barn is Johns Hopkins University Theater's production of Five Women Wearing the Same Dress. The playwright is Alan Ball, writer of the acclaimed television series Six Feet Under and the Oscar-winning American Beauty. Billed as "a hilarious comedy," the show has talented cast that does not disappoint. The personalities of the five women wearing the same hideous bridesmaid's dress comes across loud and clear in the Barn's intimate black-box theatre --- a testament to the experienced direction of John Astin.
The five women are bridesmaids who are friends, relatives or in-laws. The women share nothing but the same gaudy red dress and contempt for the bride, Tracy Marlow De Clure, whom we never see. The setting is the bedroom of the bride's little sister, Meredith, which becomes a hideout for the bridesmaids to dish, rant, vent and find their own happy endings.
While the writing is witty, it is the sheer energy and standout performances of each of the actors that makes the show enjoyable.
For example, sophomore Brittany Matava's portrayal of the loud, opinionated little sister of the bride, scheming to disrupt her sister's wedding, brings instant life to the play. With her mastery of sarcasm and the sulky slump, Matava also provides the physical comedy of the show, culminating in her flashing the entire wedding party. The actress shows her depth in an intense, emotional confession in the final minutes of the play.
In contrast to Matava's rebellious character, freshman Evelyn Clark portrays the awkward younger cousin Frances, a staunch Christian girl, the only one without something horrible to say about the bride. (She is also the only one who enjoys the bright-red prom dress and lampshade hat.) At first her character's grating optimism, exaggerated by Clark's sweet Southern accent, is more annoying than endearing. However, as all the other women eventually break into rants, Clark provides an essential counterpoint that keeps the play light enough to laugh at.
Breaking up an awkward interchange between Meredith and Frances, senior Elizabeth Gilbert delivers a phenomenal performance as Trisha, the bride's best friend from high school and the "reigning queen of the bad reputation."
Her character shows the most depth, ranging from the outspoken empowered woman to the sympathetic friend. Gilbert makes the transitions easily while providing most of the show's comedy with her expressive delivery. However, when the show switches to its one romantic segment, Gilbert's shy exchange seems unnatural and the scene drags.
Fortunately, the lone man in the show, senior James Zwerneman, holds his own brilliantly as Tripp Davenport, Trisha's love interest and the cousin of the groom. He pulls off the pursuit of the hard-to-get guy without looking like a sleaze or a lovesick puppy, providing all the comedy and chemistry of the love scene.
Freshman Emily Daly plays Georgeanne Darby, the most deliciously bitter of the bridesmaids and the high-school-era "ugly sidekick" of the bride. Her confession of an affair is one of the most brilliant moments of the show; Daly deftly captures the sexual frustration of an unhappily married woman. Daly also stands out among the actors for nailing her character's age, playing the most believable 30-something woman.
Rounding out the talented cast is junior Justine Wiesinger playing Mindy De Clure, the awkward lesbian sister of the groom.
Though her clumsiness is overdone in the beginning of the show, Justine manages to endear her outsider character to the other bridesmaids and to the audience. She also pulls off ranting against men without falling into the typical man-hater image.
It is very unusual for a show to showcase so much talent. JHUT clearly picked well with both the show and the casting.
Five Women Wearing the Same Dress will be showing in the Merrick Barn this coming weekend, March 2 and 3 at 8 p.m. and March 4 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for general admission, $5 for students and $13 for seniors.
