Take the plunge: Church hosts ‘Swim Club’ comedy
Published 10:34 am Thursday, January 11, 2018
- From left to right: Rosie Einkauf fills Kristi Guilbeaux’ glass as Kristi is about to explain her new life situation to her friends in Act 1 Scene 1 Theatre Company’s production of “The Dixie Swim Club” at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church. (Lorenzo Salinas/The News)
By Lorenzo Salinas
A story of friendship, love and teamwork is about to be played to audiences in Port Neches served with a hefty side of wit, humor and Southern slang.
Act 1 Scene 1 Theatre Co. and Ladies’ Guild St. Elizabeth Catholic Church are presenting “The Dixie Swim Club,” a comedy about five Southern women who met in college and struck up an enduring friendship that has lasted over the years.
Director Benny Bryan said the play contains plenty of humor and wit as well as some deeply poignant moments.
“It contains snippets of their lives every five to 10 years at the Carolinas in August,” he said. “It has joy, laughter, sadness. It’s a comedy, but the last couple of scenes can be very emotional.”
Bryan pointed to the collective efforts of the play’s leading ladies whose work he dubbed wonderful and cited the decades of experience they have as something that really comes across on stage through the characters.
Rosie Einkauf (left) and Roxane Gray fuss over Gray’s floral arrangements as Lexie in Act 1 Scene 1 Theatre Company’s production of “The Dixie Swim Club.” (Lorenzo Salinas/The News)
“I think most anyone could picture their lives in the play,” he said. “I think anyone who comes to the show can see something they relate to.”
It was in part this palette of relatable characters that drew Ann Holland back to “Dixie Swim Club” for a third time.
“It’s probably my favorite role,” Holland said. “It’s funny and poignant and really touching in some places.”
Holland brings 20 years of experience in community theater to the role of Vernadette, a self-deprecating character who Holland says is “just one of the funniest people.”
Holland echoed Bryan’s point about audience members finding something or someone in the play that’s in line with their own real lives.
“I think each one of the characters in the play has something that makes them a character our audience could relate to,” Rosie Einkauf said.
Einkauf assumes the role of Sheree, the team captain of the group’s former swim team in college.
“I like this character,” Einkauf said. “She’s tomboy-ish, a team captain, highly organized and the leader of the bunch.”
Einkauf brings more than 30 years of theater experience to the stage.
“Most of us have been together for about 20 of those years,” she said. “It almost doesn’t matter what the show is, it’s fun.”
Holland agreed. “Doing it with a group of friends is just wonderful.”
Rosie Einkauf (left) and Roxane Gray hug as friends Vernadette and Lexie in Act 1 Scene 1 Theatre Company’s production of “The Dixie Swim Club” at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church. (Lorenzo Salinas/The News)
Einkauf named anything written by the playwrights Jones, Hope and Wooten as Act 1’s favorites and “Dixie Swim Club” as one of the playwrights’ best works.
“The characters are human, just like people out there. It’s just true life after a way,” Einkauf said. “Everybody is going to see someone they could relate to.”
Proceeds from the play will benefit six high school seniors who attend St. Elizabeth Church. The money would go toward scholarship funds for the selected students.
“The Dixie Swim Club” will be presented in the Hebert Hall at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church on 2006 Nall St., Port Neches. The Knights of Columbus will prepare dinner for Saturday and dessert for Sunday.
The play is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday.
Admission price is $25 and $15, respectively.
Reservations: 409-790-6782.
