KCMETROPOLIS.org
Kansas City's Online Journal of the Performing Arts

Heralded as the latest "girl-friend" show, The Dixie Swim Club is now showing at the American Heartland Theatre until June 20^th. Much like Steel Magnolias, the story introduces five women who share a long-lasting friendship - but one that begins on the swim team in school. They meet every year on the beach of North Carolina, and come to rely on each other for support, advice and laughter. The show is often punctuated by their favorite saying, "The faster we swim, the faster we win!"

Directed by Donna Thomason, the show was boisterous and authentic. Thomason's blocking was natural and her direction kept the actors moving. Never did the show stop to wallow in the tragic or unhappy, although those moments did happen. Instead, the women kept moving forward, laughing at themselves and each other in turn. The characters were quite different, but we could still understand why the friendships endured. In fact, most of the characters were very similar to women I have known.

Cathy Barnett plays Sheree, the woman who must have every moment of a vacation planned out. I last saw Barnett in the New Theatre's Don't Dress for Dinner, and I really enjoyed seeing another interesting and authentic character from her.

Debra Bluford, an AHT favorite, is Vernadette Simms. She always arrives with a different injury and a very entertaining story. Bluford was hysterically funny; and she was also marvelous as aged Vernadette, suffering from memory loss.

Missy Koonce, whom I last saw in Bare at the Unicorn, should really step out on the stage more. She plays Dinah, the lawyer who has chosen a career over family. She is usually the one with a witty comeback and a drink in hand.  Koonce's comic timing was spot-on, and this was a fantastic role for her.

Cheryl Weaver and Jennifer Mays rounded out the cast as the self-centered Lexie and the nun-turned-mother, Jeri, respectively. Mays brought a vibrancy and enthusiasm to the play. Weaver had a difficult role and seemed to be fighting against the lines a bit, especially in the beginning. However, towards the end of the play, she and Lexie had both subtly aged and both were a bit wiser for their mistakes.

The set, designed by Del Unruh, was a rustic cabin on the North Carolinian beach. I especially liked the working screen door and the glass windows with beach scenery and storm flaps. William J. Christie's set dressing and props were appropriate and subtle. I did like the plant that was alive in one scene and dead in the next. It was subtle, but funny.

Paul Hough's costumes also had clever touches that made them unique, like Vernadette's crocs in the last scene and Lexie's too-young clothing throughout.

Finally, Shane Rowse designed the lighting. I enjoyed the changed atmosphere outside the window, but otherwise, it was simple and realistic.

 The Dixie Swim Club is funny. Not being a huge fan of Steel Magnolias, I wasn't sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised. There was more humor than sadness, and more friendship than drama. It's a great show to see with another female, although men might secretly enjoy it too.

REVIEW:
American Heartland Theatre
The Dixie Swim Club
Runs May 7 through June 20
Crown Center, Level 3
2450 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO
For tickets call 816-842-9999 or online at www.ahtkc.com

Cover Photo: Cast members Cheryl Weaver and Missy Koonce. Photo by Shane Rowse.