Pat Beck plays the lead role of Gingy in Nora and Delia Ephron’s ‘Love, Loss, and What I Wore’, opening Friday at Los Alamos Little Theatre. Photo by Thomas Graves.
Wendy Caldwell Lanchier and Terry Beery are producing and directing, respectively, Nora and Delia Ephron’s ‘Love, Loss, and What I Wore’, opening Friday at Los Alamos Little Theatre. Photo © Thomas Graves
The cast poses at a recent rehearsal for Nora and Delia Ephron’s “Love, Loss, and What I Wore,” opening Friday at Los Alamos Little Theatre. Photo by Thomas Graves
LALT NEWS RELEASE
Los Alamos audiences will soon have a chance to watch a live performance of the winner of the 2010 Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience and the 2010 Broadway.com Audience Award for Favorite New Off-Broadway Play.
Tickets are on sale now for Los Alamos Little Theatre’s November show, “Love, Loss, and What I Wore.” The show opens on Friday, Nov. 1, and will run through Nov. 16, with shows at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and one matinee performance at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10, at 2 p.m.
Tickets are available to purchase in advance with no fees until the box office opens one hour before each show. Click here to buy tickets on Zeffy.
Based on the book by Ilene Beckerman and written by sisters Nora and Delia Ephron, the award-winning “Love, Loss, and What I Wore” follows the stories of multiple women as they recount pivotal moments in their lives – and the clothes tied to those memories. Narrated by artist, author, and grandmother Gingy (played by Pat Beck), the show features a stellar cast of LALT favorites: Stacy Buck, Kelsey Denissen, Elisa Enriquez, Lindsey Gordon, Holly Robinson, Emily Stark, and Seona Zimmermann, with swings Allison Zastrow and Wendy Caldwell Lanchier.
“It might not seem like watching eight women sitting on stools behind music stands recounting stories about clothes would be enjoyable or relatable, but it is!” said Caldwell Lanchier, who also is producing the show. “It’s deep and thought-provoking. It’s an emotional journey. There are laugh-out-loud moments as one character recounts the ‘first time I stood up for my [chest]’ and another recalls a horrible birthday present, worn by one of the models who perfectly encapsulates disappointed teen angst without a word.”
Caldwell Lanchier called moments of sister support, overcoming illness, and finding the courage to leave a bad relationship “ heartwarming” while others, like shopping for a wedding dress amid dozens of other women, dealing with a mother’s disapproval of a tattoo, and having ‘nothing to wear’ she said are completely relatable.
“I think all of that is why I love this show,” she said. “I can relate to some characters, and I can see bits and pieces of myself or people I know in every single story. It’s simultaneously universal and unique. It’s definitely a can’t-miss show!”
The play has the feel of Nora Ephron’s well-known works “When Harry Met Sally” and “I Feel Bad About My Neck,” Director Terry Beery said, adding, “I love the Ephrons’ sense of humor and their way of framing our everyday experiences and struggles with love and wit.”
She said the script is “so much fun, but it also includes serious and thought-provoking sections. I think everyone can find something personal in these stories, especially those raised female, or those related to, or who love those who were raised female. In other words, pretty much everyone! I hope audience members will laugh knowingly and say, ‘Oh, that’s so me!’
“This play is about life and, yes, it’s about being a woman. But women don’t exist in isolation, so it is also about society and what it means to be a part of it, and how ridiculous it all is.”
Pat Beck (playing the central role of Gingy) called Beery’s directing “visionary” and the entire cast and crew “extraordinary.” I’m impressed by how all the actors and models embody their characters, and I’m humbled by having been chosen to play the linchpin of the play.”
About her character, she said, “Gingy reflects on her life through the metaphor of her clothing choices, which both reveal and camouflage her trauma and growth. She’s funny and direct; she invites you to get to know her as her heart breaks and as it leaps with joy.”
“This cast is so talented,” Director Terry Beery said. “They make me laugh at every rehearsal. They have really embodied this fascinating group of women in the play. We are also fortunate to have a fabulous technical crew led by Hadley Hershey. They are quick to address all the challenges of putting on a production and to use their creative energy to make it all work.”
Beery said she chose “Love, Loss, and What I Wore” because she “wanted to direct something that would give our fabulously talented local women and female-presenting people an opportunity to shine. I could have created several casts with all the talent in this town!”
Please note that this show contains some adult themes and strong language. Parental guidance is suggested (PG-13). For specific content questions, feel free to contact producer@lalt.org.
“Love, Loss, and What I Wore” is presented in cooperation with Dramatists Play Service.