Photo by Rob SprankleLove, Loss, and What I Wore was awarded the 2010 Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience, and Trustus Theatre is guaranteeing patrons a distinctive production as the show makes its Midlands premiere in the Richard and Debbie Cohn Trustus Side Door Theatre. This piece by Nora and Delia Ephron features five actresses exploring women's clothing as well as the heart, soul, and recollections that are sewn into the clothes we wear throughout our lives. This first show of 2014 is under the direction of Trustus Managing Director Larry Hembree, and opens in the Trustus Side Door Theatre tonight, January 3rd at 8:00pm. Tickets may be purchased at www.trustus.org. Proving that a great show is always in fashion, Love, Loss, and What I Wore has become an international hit. With its compulsively entertaining subject matter, this intimate collection of stories by Nora and Delia Ephron celebrated an accomplished two-and-a-half year run in New York's Westside Theatre. Love, Loss, and What I Wore is based on the best-seller by Ilene Beckerman as well as the recollections of the Ephrons' friends. The show uses clothing and accessories and the memories they trigger to tell funny and often poignant stories that all women can relate to, creating one of the most enduring theatergoing experiences domestically and overseas. Trustus Theatre is proud that it is finding a home in the Richard and Debbie Cohn Trustus Side Door Theatre this winter. The show was originally performed with five women, and director Larry Hembree has maintained that initial casting with five very talented performers from Columbia. "As someone who loves to see new faces on the stage, I was lucky enough to be able to blend some new and some familiar folks into the show," said Hembree. The one consistent role, Gingy, is being played by Caroline Weidner who has been seen in many musicals (even as the original Patsy Cline at Trustus in Always Patsy Cline). Tiffany James was recently seen in Ragtime and now dives into humor. Amy Brower is returning to the Side Door Theatre, having been seen last in Larry McMullen's production of Amazons and Their Men. Trustus is also happy to welcome Emily Harrell and Jodie Cain Smith as they make their Trustus debuts in this show. Hembree has decided to turn the Trustus Side Door theatre into a coffeehouse or lounge sort of area to host these women and their stories. "The work really exists simply as series of words to be read," said Hembree. "So in trying to figure out how to give the work a 'place' to come alive in rather than just simply reading from scripts placed on music stands (which would certainly be another staging option) I thought that using the power of the Side Door Theatre's intimate space would work. I set it in a small intimate 'safe' space like a locally owned coffee house where you would go in and grab a drink and hear local writers do very casual readings of their original work. Actually that's exactly how it's set." The environment of the show comes complete with jazz guitar from Jeremy Polley and drinks being served in the space during the show. Love, Loss, and What I Wore opens Friday, January 3rd at 8:00pm and runs through Saturday, January 18th, 2013. Shows on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays start at 8pm. The Sunday matinee on January 5th will be at 3pm. The doors and box office open thirty minutes prior to curtain, and all Trustus Side Door tickets are $20 for general admission and $15 for students. Reservations can be made by calling the Trustus Box Office at (803) 254-9732, and tickets may be purchased online at www.trustus.org. The Richard and Debbie Cohn Trustus Side Door Theatre is located at 520 Lady Street, behind the Gervais St. Publix. Parking is available on Lady Street and on Pulaski Street. The Trustus Side Door Theatre entrance is through the glass doors on the Huger St. side of the building.
