BWW Reviews: FIVE WOMEN WEARING THE SAME DRESS Offers a Different Take on Girl Talk

Duke City Rep is celebrating its first appearance at the Cell Theatre with a feisty production of Five Women Wearing the Same Dress, a comedy by award- winning playwright, Alan Ball (American Beauty.)

Set in Knoxville, Tennessee, the play features five, very different bridesmaids, all reluctant participants in a fancy, over-the-top, Southern wedding. Having survived the ceremony itself, they are now taking refuge in the upstairs bedroom of the bride's rebellious, pot-smoking younger sister, Meredith, as the reception proceeds on the lawn below.

We never see the bride, but we hear a lot about her from these young women, four of whom have known each other since childhood. They include the bride's jaded childhood friend with a promiscuous past, a fundamentalist Christian cousin, the groom's outspoken, lesbian sister and a self-abasing romantic. In spite of their obvious differences, they find that they have more in common than simply their desire for the day to be over and a profound dislike of the appalling dress they're forced to wear

The initial venting about their current situation soon develops into tales of malaise about where they are in life. This is more than just a funny, fast-paced girls' night out, because, with the help of a little booze and a little pot, the humor also incorporates some meaningful reflections on serious social issues, such as feminism, sexual abuse, religion and the role of women in society.

Having five major female characters on stage is a refreshing change and all of them, Lauren Myers, Amelia Ampuero, Evening Star Barron, Merritt Glover and Catherine Pilafas, are to be commended for making the most of this opportunity. The pace never falters and the play is so well constructed and well directed - kudos to Frank Green - that even with just one set, it never fails to hold the audience's attention.

Putting all five women in the same dress, but in different colors, is an original and interesting touch. Not that it's necessary in order to keep track of the individual characters - their personalities are all so different - but it certainly makes it visually more interesting.

The one male character, Tripp (Abraham Jallad) an usher, appears at the very end of the play. The only eligible, interesting bachelor at the affair, he quickly strikes up a connection with one of the women, who, in spite of her cynicism, seems more than wiling to consider the possibilities of engaging in one more romantic, sexual relationship. Maybe this one will be different. . .

FIVE WOMEN WEARING THE SAME DRESS is playing at the Cell Theatre through May 26th. For more information, visit www.dukecityrep.com.

Photo courtesy of Duke City Rep

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