Ross Valley Players Wraps 2012-13 Season with THE DIXIE SWIM CLUB, Beg. Tonight

For its sixth and final production of the 2012-2013 season, ROSS VALLEY PLAYERS presents The Dixie Swim Club, a sassy comedy about friendships between women that last a lifetime. Five girlfriends set aside a weekend every August and meet on North Carolina's Outer Banks to reconnect, gossip, laugh, and meddle in each other's lives.

Focusing on four weekends spanning a period of thirty-three years, this comedy takes a poignant and surprising turn, demonstrating the strength and loves these women share. Written by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope, and Jamie Wooten, The Dixie Swim Club begins with a preview tonight, July 18 and runs through Sunday, August 18. Opening night is Friday, July 19 at 8PM. www.rossvalleyplayers.com

The Dixie Swim Club tells the story of five Southern women whose friendships began many years ago on their college swim team. Every August they get together for a long weekend to renew those relationships. Free from husbands, kids and jobs, they meet at the same beach cottage on North Carolina's Outer Banks to do what girlfriends do best - laugh, gossip and snoop into each other's lives. The story focuses on four of those weekends and spans a period of thirty-three years.

Sheree (Stephanie Ahlberg), the energetic team captain, desperately tries to maintain her organized and "perfect" life, and continues to be the group's leader. Dinah (Pamela Ciochetti), the wisecracking overachiever, is a career dynamo. But her victories in the courtroom are in stark contrast to the frustrations of her personal life. Lexie (Hilda L. Roe), pampered and outspoken, is determined to hold on to her looks and youth as long as possible. She enjoys being married - over and over and over again. The self-deprecating and bitter Vernadette (Floriana Alessandria), who is very aware of the dark cloud that hovers over her life, has decided to just give in and embrace the chaos. And sweet, eager to please Jeri Neal (Jayme Catalano) who lives in a convent, has some news to share that will take them all by surprise.

As their lives unfold and the years pass, these women increasingly rely on one another to get through life's challenges of men, sex, marriage, parenting, divorce, and aging. And when fate throws a wrench into one of their lives, these friends, proving the enduring power of "teamwork," rally around their own with the strength and love that takes this comedy in a moving and surprising direction. The Dixie Swim Club is directed by Linda Dunn, produced by Maureen O' Donoghue.

Performances are tonight, July 18, 2013 (Preview Night) through Sunday, August 18, with Opening Night on Friday, July 19 at 8PM. Regular Thursday performances are at 7:30PM; Fridays and Saturdays at 8PM; Sunday matinees at 2PM. (Please note there is no matinee on Sunday, July 21.) All performances take place at the Barn Theatre, home of the Ross Valley Players - 30 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Ross, CA 94957. Ticket prices are $22 for Seniors 62+ and children 18 and under; $26 general admission. Preview night ticket prices are $10 for children and students (with valid student ID); $15 general admission. Thursday night tickets prices are $20 for all ages (does not include Thursday preview night.)

Audience members are invited to participate in "Talkback" with the director and actors after performances on Sunday, August 4 and Sunday, August 11.Buzz at the Barn, a pre-show cocktail hour with hors d'oeuvres and wine, will take place on Saturday. July 20 at 7PM.

To order tickets, call 415-456-9555, ext. 1 or visit www.rossvalleyplayers.com.

Photo by: Robin Jackson