Photo Flash: Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre Presents DIXIE'S SWIM CLUB

Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre opens its 39th Season with a poignant comedy as it presents The Dixie Swim Club, now on stage through Feb. 12. The first of four new shows to the Beef & Boards stage in 2012, The Dixie Swim Club is hilarious and heartfelt.

Five Southern women, whose friendships began years ago on their college swim team, set aside a long weekend every year to recharge those relationships. Free from husbands, kids and jobs, they meet at the same beach cottage to catch up, laugh and meddle in each other's lives.

Angela Plank stars as Sheree, the spunky team captain, who desperately tries to maintain her organized and “perfect” life, and continues to be the group's leader. Dinah, played by Rita Thomas, is the wisecracking overachiever – a career dynamo. But her victories in the courtroom are in stark contrast to the frustrations of her personal life. Lexie, played by Jill Kelly, is pampered and outspoken. Determined to hold on to her looks and youth as long as possible, she enjoys being married — over and over again. The self-deprecating and acerbic Vernadette, played by Beef & Boards favorite Sarah Hund, is acutely 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, played by Laurie Walton, experiences a late entry into motherhood that takes them all by surprise.

As their lives unfold and 33 years pass, these women increasingly rely on one another to get through the many challenges that life flings at them.

The Dixie Swim Club has 36 performances scheduled in the intimate space of Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre. Tickets range from $37 to $60 and include Chef Odell Ward’s dinner buffet, coffee and tea. Parking is free.

For reservations, call the Beef & Boards Box Office at 317.872.9664. Box office hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays. For more information, including show schedule, visit www.beefandboards.com.

The Dixie Swim Club is sponsored in part by Indianapolis Woman magazine.

Sarah Hund, Angela Plank, Rita Thomas, Laurie Walton and Jill Kelly

Jill Kelly and Rita Thomas