With its highly relatable vignettes, “Love, Loss and What I Wore” is a funny, touching, and insightful “everywoman” piece that will touch audiences in deeply personal ways.
Performed as a staged reading, the loose narrative convention—monologues, scenes, and collections of single statements woven together seamlessly—lends the play a certain universality that drives important messages home in profound, indelible ways.
“For some, an outfit can reflect, or even be a metaphor for, a woman’s life,” said director Jim Dugan. “For others, it is an extension of their personality or something to hide behind, to keep them safe. And for others still, clothing and accessories can represent an important person or event in their past.”
The one-act play written by Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron and based on the book by Ilene Beckerman is directed by Dugan and Amelia Swann. It features 28 characters portrayed by six actors: Virginia Brown, Ally Coppell, Becky Daggett, Katie King, Miranda Marie, and Leah Norris.
“This play skillfully and compassionately depicts the differing and oft-complex role clothing can play in women’s lives,” said director Amelia Swann. “Although the subject matter could easily fall into the little-black-dress, ‘Sex-in-the-City’ trap, the themes in ‘Love, Loss and What I Wore’ are deeper, more complex, and ring truer to the lives of the people who will fill our theater’s seats.”
The set of this production includes original art created by local female artists and will be available via silent auction through the close of the production. Original art will likewise be unveiled and for sale in the lobby at a special First Friday event on July 7 at 5:30 p.m. This art will remain in the lobby through July. The theater as well as the cast and crew are hosting a clothing drive and invite the community to donate gently used clothing and fill the “closet” set up in the theater’s lobby. Donations will be exchanged for raffle tickets and the chance to win prizes donated by local artists and businesses. Clothing will be donated to local shelters.
The theater’s First Friday event will also include complimentary beverages, live music, and a food truck. Enjoy complimentary wine and other beverages, live music by Claire Anna Rose, plus Good Times Rolling Kitchen and Catering food truck. Donate clothing and get a chance to win fabulous prizes. First Friday celebrants need not be attending the theater’s performance to imbibe in the festivities.
Performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday July 7 and 8, and at 2 p.m. Sunday July 9. Tickets are $15 plus applicable fees for all performances.
Tickets can be purchased online at Theatrikos.com; by calling (928) 774-1662; or by visiting the theater’s box office, which is open from noon to 6 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and two hours prior to each performance.