Weekend Theatre: Dixie Swim Club, Hairspray, Curtains

At first blush, the ’s production of the Dixie Swim Club would appear to be the ultimate “chick” play. While it’s perfect for a GNO (Girl’s Night Out), it is also a play that will make anyone laugh out loud—at least anyone who has ever known a woman.

Dixie Swim Club follows the lives of five southern women–college swim teammates–who meet every August in the Outer Banks of North Carolina for a reunion. While they have all gone in different directions since college, their strong bonds of friendship, acceptance and unbridled humor keep them united through thick and thin, marriage and divorce, illness and plastic surgery.

“There were two reasons I wanted to be a part of this play,” said stage veteran Theresa Selvaggio of Grosse Pointe Farms, who plays the role of Dinah Grayson, a hard-edged lawyer with a surprisingly sensitive side. “This is a beautifully written story about friendships. Also, the person directing it is amazing.”

Kathy Conlon, who last directed the all-woman production of The Odd Couple for the GPT, directs this cast of richly talented actresses who bring the characters to life in the funniest ways possible.

Pam Montgomery and Marie Reinman, who are also from Grosse Pointe Farms, play the roles of the man-seeking Lexie Richards and the bumbling yet loveable Vernadette Simms, respectively. Amy Choudhury Martin of Sterling Heights portrays the very holy Jeri Neal McFeely, while Megan Meade-Higgins of Northville brings to life the role of Sheree Hollinger, who has yet to give up her role as team captain.

“Doing comedy can be very challenging,” said Selvaggio, who was last cast in the lead role Anna in last year’s GPT season finale The King and I. “But I love this play. The script is so good and it is really funny. I enjoy making people laugh.”

Dixie Swim Club opens Sunday, March 6 with a 2 p.m. matinee. There is also a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, March 13. Other show dates with 8 p.m. curtains are March 10-12 and March 16-19. To purchase tickets, call the Theatre box office at 313-881-4004.

opens its spring musical Hairspray on Thursday with a 7:30 p.m. show. Other shows are Friday, March 4 at 8 p.m., Saturday, March 5 at 7:30 p.m. and then closing on Sunday, March 6 at 2 p.m. The shows are at the ULS auditorium.

's production of Curtains also opens Thursday and runs through the weekend, with all shows at the school's Performing Arts Center.

So, no matter what your taste in theater and comedy, there is a show for you this weekend. Or maybe all three!