Footlight Players to present ‘The Savannah Sipping Society’
Angela Stewart, Kathy Reid and Chris Sycks are pictured practicing a scene from the Footlight Players upcoming production of “The Savannah Sipping Society.” The cast also includes Ellen Hardesty. Josie Sellers | Beacon
COSHOCTON – The Footlight Players “The Savannah Sipping Society” will introduce you to four unique southern women brought together by fate. They will keep you laughing while they help each other overcome struggles and discover a new enthusiasm for life.
“It’s kind of like ‘Designing Women’ meets ‘Golden Girls,’” said Kathy Reid.
She plays Dot, a widow in her 60s, who finds herself suddenly all alone in a new city. She and her husband were supposed to enjoy their retirement years in Savannah, but he died after they’d only been there eight months.
“It’s definitely a humorous play, but there are some deeper issues too that they all work on to get back into enjoying life,” Reid said.
Chris Sycks, who is new to the stage, portrays Marlafaye, a divorcee from Texas with a chip on her shoulder.
“I’ve been volunteering here for five or six years and have wanted to try being in a play for a long time,” Sycks said. “It’s been really fun. We’ve been cracking each other up on the stage and hope the audience finds the play as funny as we do. It’s an uplifting play and would be a good girls’ night out.”
Randa, the high strung, workaholic, perfectionist in the play, is performed by Angela Stewart.
“She just got fired and her whole life revolved around her career,” Stewart said. “She has no idea what to do with her life. Everything has to be very logical.”
Rounding out the play is Ellen Hardesty’s character Jinx.
“She is very outgoing and has a lot of passion,” Hardesty said.
Jinx is a life coach who offers her services to the other characters, but also has her own issues to deal with.
“Her sister has Alzheimer’s and she is here in Savannah to take care of her,” Hardesty said.
The play is directed by Nathan Mayse and the producer is Marsha Cusin.
“I laughed out loud when I read the script and knew I had to submit it (for the theater),” Mayse said. “There are some serious notes in the play, but they are able to laugh through them.”
“The Savannah Sipping Society” will be performed at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 2-3, 9-10, 16-17 and at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 11, at the Triple Locks Theater, 685 N. Whitewoman St. Tickets are $12 for adults and $7 for students. They are available online at www.footlightplayers.com or by calling 740-622-2959 from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday or from 2 to 4 p.m. on performance days.
“It’s a really fun play that is going to touch a lot of people,” Hardesty said.
Category: Arts & Entertainment
