When director Paul McKinney scheduled auditions for Oswego Players” production of “The Savannah Sipping Society,” he had his fingers crossed along with a few of his toes, hoping there would be a good number of women who would be interested in reading for the play.
All eight of the women who eventually read, could easily have been cast in one role or the other. However, this time around, four of these fine actresses just seemed to click with one another in their auditions together.
So, he ultimately cast Sherri Metz, Beth DeRousie, Beverly Murtha, and Gina Mazzoli Wentworth to play the leads in “The Savannah Sipping Society.” And happily, Becky Kandt and Jennie Patrick, signed on to be Stage Managers for the show. Now how lucky can you get. Paul laughingly calls this his “all women show, plus one.”
For the past few weeks, two and three nights a week, Sherri Metz, Beverly Murtha, Beth DeRousie and Gina Mazzoli Wentworth have been coming to the Frances Marion Brown Theater learning lines, working on their blocking, and just having lots of great fun creating an “audience pleaser” of a show.
Sherri plays Randa Covington, a very sophisticated career woman who finds herself inadvertently inviting three woman to join her for some libation on her veranda after a chance meeting in a yoga studio one morning.
Beverly playing Marlafaye Mosley, a recent transplant from Texas, who jumps at the chance to get a look see at this fancy woman’s “porch” as she calls it. She is new in town and in need of some stimulating friendship.
Dot Haigler, Beth’s character, feeling lonely, is looking for some new companionship. The idea of sitting on Randa’s Veranda sharing a heartfelt conversation with friends comes at a perfect time in her life.
Jinx, the spunky town manicurist, played by Gina Mazzoli Wentworth, is invited by Dot to join the three southern belles in what eventually becomes a regular meet up. Together they decide to tag themselves as the Savannah Sipping Society.
The laughs are a plenty as these four delightful characters explore the nightlife of Savannah, engage in some life coaching exercises, and enjoy the refreshing taste of Mint Julips. The show opens April 1 and runs April 2, 3, 8, 9, 10 in the Civic Arts Center of Oswego, 30 Donahue Drive. Tickets are $15 Adults, $10 Seniors & Students. Reservations are available on line: oswegoplayers.com or by calling the box office at 315-343-5138.