REVIEW: The Heartland's Dixie Swim Club is a kick

By Alan Scherstuhl
Thursday, May 13 2010

The American Heartland Theatre's new comedy, The Dixie Swim Club, might more truthfully have been titled "Thank You for Being a Friend." That's not just because at least two running gags and one entire character seem lifted from The Golden Girls, or because Missy Koonce, fresh off her triumphant monologue in Pride & Joy, seems touched here by the spirit of Bea Arthur. Playing a middle-aged Atlanta lawyer who's alternately charmed and exasperated by her four best friends from college, Koonce — tall, dry, husky-voiced, well pantsuited — is so deft at reacting to the silliness around her that her stern-ish poker face is funnier than the written jokes.

As engineered by writers Jesse Jones, Nicholas Hope and Jamie Wooten, The Dixie Swim Club is as much a thank-you note as it is theater. As it charts the lives of five middle-aged female friends who share a beach house each summer on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, it celebrates the idea of lifelong friendship with enough warmth and insight to inspire even skeptics to feel along with it. (It's probably no coincidence that I phoned two old friends the weekend after opening night.) In through-the-years scenes that find the women cheering and carping right into old age, the show is always funny and tender (more than the norm) and sharply performed. It's also never quite dramatic.

The well-cast comic actresses sell it. Cathy Barnett puffs up the writers' notion of a health-nut mother hen into a full, vital character. Cheryl Weaver finds fresh spirit in an exhausted type (the aging Dixie sexpot). And Jennifer Mays — noticeably younger than the rest, though the women are meant to be the same age — somehow finds coherence in an impossible character, one designed entirely to fit jokes. (I'd complain more specifically, but her first joke, while deeply implausible, is such a doozy that I can't spoil it.)

Then there's the redoubtable Debra Bluford, irresistible as the joke-cracking mother of a jailbird and a cult member. Handing a joke to Bluford is like handing a Marine a knife: She knows a dozen ways to kill with it. "I never knew what happiness was until I got married," she says in a measured, confident way. "By then, it was too late."

She has all the best lines, but she scores with even the lesser ones. "If you had to do it all over again, would you still have kids?" someone asks. "Sure," Bluford responds, her great dimple deepening and the crowd already laughing in anticipation. "Just not the same ones."

This cast keeps The Dixie Swim Club buoyant. The camaraderie that flourishes among its members is more potent than anything in the script (credit to director Donna Thomason). The way Barnett beams at her friends, the way Koonce helps Bluford put her feet up, the way Mays' eyes soften as she reminisces about their days on the college swim team — these gestures evoke a truth that the script, to its credit, never directly states: The people we love most will certainly change, but if we're lucky, the love that we feel will not.

READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT PITCH.COM HERE

New Release: The Dixie Swim Club

AMERICAN HEARTLAND THEATRE PRESENTS

THE KANSAS CITY PREMIERE OF
THE DIXIE SWIM CLUB

MAY 7TH - JUNE 27TH, 2010

Kansas City, MO: American Heartland Theatre presents the Kansas City Premiere of The Dixie Swim Club, May 7th through June 27th, 2010. Five Southern women, who were swimming teammates in college, reunite each year at the same beach cottage in North Carolina. Free from men, children, and jobs, they laugh, catch-up, and meddle in each other’s lives. As their lives unfold and the years pass, these women increasingly rely on one another, through advice and raucous repartee, to get through the challenges (men, sex, marriage, parenting, divorce, and aging) that life flings at them. The Dixie Swim Club, written by prolific Southern playwrights, Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope and Jamie Wooten, is the newest “girl-friend” show to sweep the nation, playing in more than 45 theatres this spring alone. “This play is easily the hottest show in the country right now,” proclaims the Danville News.

American Heartland Theatre brings this hilarious and touching comedy about friendships that last forever to life with five great women of Kansas City theatre. Cathy Barnett (Sheree Hollinger) appeared at AHT in last season’s Are We There Yet? and most recently appeared in the Unicorn Theatre's production of the musical Grey Gardens. Cathy has toured nationally and internationally in both Forbidden Broadway and Forbidden Hollywood. She has also traveled across the nation as Louise in Always, Patsy Cline. She has entertained as a stand-up comedienne in New York, appearing at Caroline's and the West Bank Cafe. Cathy also portrays the Hallmark greeting card character, "Maxine," and can give you directions to anywhere you want to go as a voice on the Garmin GPS Navigation Systems. Debra Bluford (Vernadette Simms) returns to the AHT stage for the second time this season, having starred as Florence Foster Jenkins in AHT's recent hit comedy Glorious, as well as many other Heartland shows including: Leaving Iowa, Menopause: The Musical, Sanders Family Christmas, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, The Odd Couple, Radio Gals and Sugar Babies to name a few. Deb is the recipient of several Best of Theatre Awards and KC Drama Desk Awards.

Missy Koonce (Dinah Grayson) has recently returned to the stage after a five year stint as bar owner, cabaret singer, music producer and mentor at bar Natasha. Last summer she came back onto the scene in a memorable cameo in bare at the Unicorn, followed by Kimberly Akimbo at the M.E.T. and, most recently, in Pride & Joy… produced by Actors and Artists Against AIDS to benefit AIDS Walk 2010. Jennifer Mays (Jeri Neal McFeeley) is a graduate of UMKC, and has been a professional actress in and out of KC for over 15 years. She has been seen on the AHT stage in The Nerd, Swingtime Canteen, and Moonlight and Magnolias. Cheryl Weaver (Lexie Richards) happily returns to the AHT stage where she was seen in last season's Murder by the Book. Other Heartland productions include The Dinner Party, The Mousetrap and Play It Again, Sam.

Donna Thomason (Direction) returns to AHT, where she last directed Stories My Grandmother Told Me and was last seen in Rose's Dilemma. A 30-year theatre veteran, in the past few years Donna's attentions have turned more toward directing and producing theatre. Donna’s primary business focus is as the President and Creative Director for EPIC Entertainment Inc.

The set design for The Dixie Swim Club is by Del Unruh, lighting design is by Shane Rowse, costume design and is by Paul Hough, sound design is by Donna Miller, and properties design and set dressing are by William J. Christie.

Tickets can be ordered online at www.ahtkc.com or through the AHT Box Office at 816-842-9999. Handicapped entry and seating, as well as assistive listening devices, are available at all performances. An ASL-interpreted performance is scheduled for Wednesday, June 16th, 2010 at 7:30PM.

KC Star Review is in

"Director Paul Hough has assembled some of Kansas City’s best musical theater talents — Cathy Barnett, Jessalyn Kincaid, Ken Remmert and Tim Scott."

Read the entire review by clicking here.

News Release: Are We There Yet?

Are We There Yet?
A Family Survival Guide
Kansas City Premiere playing July 10th – August 23rd, 2009

Kansas City, MO: In its first production in the Kansas City area, Are We There Yet? offers a fresh look at the roller-coaster ride we call the “typical American family”. – from childbirth to senior prom, through blind dates and family trips, all the way to empty nests and the joys that can still be had after 60. Using song, dance and sketch comedy, Are We There Yet? has something for everyone. Musical highlights include: “Cause I’m a Mommy,” about juggling cooking, carpooling and child crises; “Whiplash: Divorce Date” about the second time around; and a touching duet, “I Know She’s Out There”. Are We There Yet? runs July 10th through August 23rd, 2009.

American Heartland Theatre has assembled an exciting ensemble of Kansas City favorites for this fantastic summer show that the whole family will love. Ken Remmert returns to AHT after a long absence. He last appeared on our stage in Leaving Iowa in 2006. Quality Hill Playhouse, Starlight, New Theater, Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre and Musical Theatre Heritage are among some of the other theatres where Ken has preformed in recent years. Cathy Barnett is also returning to the AHT stage, where she last appeared in the 2008 production of Always, Patsy Cline. Cathy has recently appeared at the New Theater, Actors Theatre of Kansas City, Unicorn Theatre and the Kansas City Repertory Theatre. Cathy has toured nationally and internationally in both Forbidden Broadway and Forbidden Hollywood as well as traveling across the nation as Louise in Always, Patsy Cline. She has entertained as a stand-up comedienne in New York, appearing at Caroline’s and the West Bank Cafe. She also portrays the Hallmark greeting card character, “Maxine,” and has traveled from coast to coast as this beloved curmudgeon. Tim Scott is pleased to return to AHT where he was last seen rockin’ out in Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story. Tim has been seen onstage at the Quality Hill Playhouse, The Coterie, Starlight, Unicorn Theatre, and Musical Theater Heritage. He has also toured nationally with Beauty & the Beast and the musical production of Robin Hood. Away from the stage, Tim keeps busy doing commercial work and entertaining the crowds during Royals games at Kaufman Stadium. Jessalyn Kincaid will be staying on at AHT where she was last seen as a half-naked accountant in Unnecessary Farce. She has also been seen recently at the Kansas City Repertory Theatre, New Theatre, Quality Hill Playhouse, Unicorn Theatre, and the Coterie Theatre. Jessalyn has had the distinct honor of directly working with such music luminaries as Harry Connick, Jr., and Broadway composer Stephen Schwartz.

Anthony Edwards serves as Musical Director for Are We There Yet?, as well as being the Conductor/Pianist. Anthony has appeared with The New Theatre, Quality Hill Playhouse, Starlight Theatre, Theatre in the Park, Unicorn Theatre, Late Night Theatre, Bar Natasha and Epic Entertainment in Kansas City; Casa Manana in Fort Worth, TX; Theatre Under the Stars in Atlanta, GA and The Red Barn Theatre and The Waterfront Playhouse in Key West as musical director. Anthony is the resident musical director for AHT, the Unicorn Theatre, Epic Entertainment, Starlight and All Souls Unitarian Church. Daniel Doss, who serves as Assistant Musical Director and Conductor/Pianist, previously performed at American Heartland Theatre for I Love You Because and Always… Patsy Cline. Musical direction credits include productions at Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre, Musical Theater Heritage, and Stagedoor Manor in New York. Daniel also enjoys conducting/playing at New Theater Restaurant, Unicorn Theatre, and at the Coterie Theatre, where he currently serves as Musical Director.

Are We There Yet? is directed by Paul Hough and choreographed by Jerry Jay Cranford with set design by Vaughn Schultz, lighting design by Shane Rowse, costume design by Cheryl Weaver, sound design by Donna Miller and props design by William J. Christie.

Written by James Hindman, Ray Roderick and Cheryl Stern with music by John Glaudini, this heart-warming, rib-tickling musical romp will have audiences leaving the theatre humming and feeling better about being human. As the show points out, you can pick your friends, but you can’t pick your family!

Handicapped entry and seating, as well as assistive listening devices, are available at all performances. An ASL-interpreted performance is scheduled for Wednesday, August 19, 2009 at 7:30PM.

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Next at American Heartland Theatre
Opening Production of the 2009-2010 Season
I’ll Be Back Before Midnight September 11th – October 25th, 2009 Rated PG-13

American Heartland Theatre is one of the city’s leading live theatre establishments and was rated #21 in the top area attractions by the Kansas City Business Journal. The theatre serves over 180,000 theatre-goers every year from Kansas City and five surrounding states. Each season, the theatre presents six productions, including comedies, musicals, dramas and mysteries featuring local, regional and national performers. AHT operates under agreements with Actors’ Equity Association in its 440+ seat intimate theatre. American Heartland Theatre is located downtown in Crown Center and is a proud member of www.kclivearts.org.

Media Contact: Morgan Perry 816-842-0202, ext. 107 mperry6@hallmark.com

Getting Ready for the New Season

Summer is in full swing, and, along with it, so is Always...Patsy Cline. We've been so overwhelmed by ticket sales that the decision was recently made to extend the show a week! We've gotten some wonderful feedback about this production, and audiences are really enjoying it. Becky Barta stars as Patsy Cline, and has an eerily similar voice, while Cathy Barnett brings all the laughs while she tells the story of how her character, Louise, accidentally became friends with Country music star, Patsy Cline. We will be sad to see this show come to a close on August 17 - it's been great having these two lovely, funny women hanging around the AHT offices!

Currently, everyone in the office is starting to prepare for our 08/09 season. We begin with a special engagement of the hit show Menopause The Musical®. Contracts are being finalized, but so far we do know that Licia Watson will be returning as the Soap Star and Nedra Dixon, who recently directed Once Upon This Island at The Coterie, will join us as Professional Woman (formerly "Power" Woman). Because of the extension of Always...Patsy Cline, Menopause's opening has been shuffled back a week to August 23 and runs through October 26.

We're also already looking forward to the holidays! Most of the staff are excited that our holiday production is A Tuna Christmas, which is a show so wacky and funny that I can't even begin to include all of the jokes here. Our Box Office Manager often quotes the Tuna shows - we're pretty big fans around here of Tuna, Texas. The best part is that we've been able to secure local actor John-Michael Zuerlein (A Dog's Life, Perfect Wedding) to star, and we're hoping he will be joined by Jim J. Bullock, well-known from his roles on '80s sitcom "Too Close For Comfort" and the celebrity game show "Hollywood Squares".

See you at the show!