Interview: THE DIXIE SWIM CLUB Will Make a Splash at Washington County Playhouse

By: Jul. 21, 2016
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The ladies of the Dixie Swim Club have arrived at the beach house and are ready to share some comedy as The Dixie Swim Club opens this weekend at the Washington County Playhouse Dinner Theater and Children's Theater.

Written by Jones Hope Wooten and directed by Scott Ruble, The Dixie Swim Club tells the story of five women who met on their college swim team. They reunite for one weekend per year, every year, at a beach house to share their company and news while free of jobs, spouses and kids. The result is a hilarious and poignant answer to the many questions and challenges they face in life as they realize just how much they all rely on each other.

In a classic case of life imitating art, the five women playing the members of the Dixie Swim Club became extremely good friends while working on this production.

"Every member of this cast is very talented and unique! I've personally enjoyed not only watching their individual process as they bring these characters to life, but I have also learned something from each and every one of these ladies" said Diana Marie Abrecht, who plays Dinah.

"The story is delightful, the characters are memorable, and the connection between them is the stuff of life, not only between the fictional characters, but now also the actors that portray them" said Cookie Driscoll, who plays Lexie.

"This is a wonderfully talented, dynamic and strong group of women. We have so much fun together and it really seems like we have actually known each other for years!" said Allison Banzhoff, who plays Shree.

Clearly, the actresses formed a close bond during rehearsals and the result provided some "good" problems to have.

"Getting line runs done in less then three hours was difficult, because we'd start talking and laughing and enjoying the company" said Joan Crooks, who plays Vernadette.

"It was a little tough for me to find the right balance of cynical and aggressive and still be soft and caring enough to be someone the other characters would feel comfortable confiding in and growing old with on stage" said Abrecht.

"Women are so relational and this group is no exception. We can sometimes get sidetracked because we are checking in with each other to make sure we're all okay and doing well" said Banzhoff

The ladies of The Dixie Swim Club are ready to share their incredible journey with an audience.

"It's a very well written, clever play that showcases the incredible bond these five women have over the years. Through the highs and lows their love and support stays strong. They may not always get along but they are always there for each other" said Denise O'Brien, who plays Jerri Neal. "The script is funny and touching. It will make you laugh, cry and laugh again" said Crooks.

"This is a very unique show; you'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll get mad with the characters. There is truly something for everyone! Each character is from a different walk of life and anyone who comes to see it will definitely be able to identify with one of the characters or one of the situations. It is a snapshot in time of a group of women as they tackle this thing called life" said Banzhoff

The Dixie Swim Club runs July 22, 23, 29, 30 and August 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 and 20 with one Sunday matinee on July 24. Dinner hour will begin at 6:00 with the show shortly following at approximately 7:45 for evening performances and lunch hour for the matinee performances begins at 1:00 with the show following at approximately 2:30. For more information about the production or to make reservations, please call the box office at (301) 739-7469 or visit http://washingtoncountyplayhouse.com/

Photo Credit: Washington County Playhouse



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