Chattanooga Times Free Press

‘Love, Loss & What I Wore’

Encore production of CTC play in which five women recall milestones in their lives

- STAFF REPORT

Due to its enthusiast­ic reception when the Chattanoog­a Theatre Centre presented “Love, Loss & What I Wore” in May, the staged reading is being brought back for an encore performanc­e on Saturday night, Aug. 10.

“Love, Loss & What I Wore” reveals the interactio­n between a woman’s relationsh­ip and attire using the female wardrobe as a time capsule of a women’s life.

The staged reading consists of 28 interwoven stories that reveal the female identity. Through a series of humorous, and often poignant monologues, the actresses share their characters’ stories, exploring themes of relationsh­ips, oppression, loss of loved ones, divorce, sexuality and the fullness of life through the metaphor of the characters’ love/hate relationsh­ip with clothes. The play was written by Nora

and Delia Ephron.

Appearing in the narrator role of Gingy is Alice Lupton Smith, a veteran of the CTC stage. Joining her will be Lakweshia Ewing, Becki Jordan, Alison Lebovitz and Kristina Montague.

Each actress will play

a variety of characters, transition­ing between ages, accents and attitudes. With monologues about first-date outfits, lucky underwear, prom dresses, buying bras, favorite boots, wedding dresses, miniskirts, the little black dress, high

heels, the disorganiz­ed purse and nightmare experience­s in the dressing room, the recollecti­ons prompt the women’s memories about their mothers, boyfriends, husbands, ex-husbands, sisters, children and grandchild­ren.

Tales revolve around the influence of Madonna (“Any woman under 40 who says she’s never dressed as Madonna is either lying or Amish”) and mother’s taste in clothes (“I don’t understand, you could look so good if you tried”).

Others include recollecti­ons about a dress purchased for the date with a guy who subsequent­ly married someone else, the foibles of spandex bras and adorning a newly reconstruc­ted breast with a tattoo.

The audience is advised this show contains mature language and themes.

The event, a fundraiser for the theater, will include an elaborate spread of hors d’oeuvres and dessert bites. The reception begins at 7 p.m. and the performanc­e begins at 8 p.m.

For more informatio­n: 423-267-8534.

 ?? PHOTO BY JULIE VAN VALKENBURG ?? The cast of “Love, Loss & What I Wore” includes, from left, Becki Jordan, Alice Lupton Smith, Lakweshia Ewing, Kristina Montague and Alison Lebovitz.
PHOTO BY JULIE VAN VALKENBURG The cast of “Love, Loss & What I Wore” includes, from left, Becki Jordan, Alice Lupton Smith, Lakweshia Ewing, Kristina Montague and Alison Lebovitz.

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