Theater Review

Tom Titus

What Robert Harling did with a quintet of Southern women in “Steel

Magnolias,” fellow playwright Alan Ball has done, and then some, in “Five

Women Wearing the Same Dress,” the current production of the Theater

District in Costa Mesa.

The setting is a bit north, in Knoxville, Tenn., but the flavor is

much the same -- five ladies venting against parents, siblings and, in

particular, the opposite sex. In Ball’s tightly woven play, the quintet

are bridesmaids, identically garbed in flowery purple gowns suggesting a

1950s prom.

This is the sort of scenario that fits into the Theater District like

a long, white glove. Artistic director Mario Lescot delights in producing

plays depicting involved and complicated relationships, and this one is

made to order for the theater and its excellent resident company of

actresses.

The “Five Women” of the title are bridesmaids, repairing to the

bedroom of the bride’s younger sister between the wedding and the

reception, where they let it all hang out emotionally and (in one case)

literally. They’re a diverse lot -- the bride’s rebellious sister

(Shannon Hunt), a jaded woman with a failed marriage (Christi Sweeney), a

near-nymphomaniac (Alice Ensor), a well-adjusted lesbian (Deborah Conroy)

and a virginal religious fanatic (Crystal Sutton).

These combined personalities are a recipe for a volatile afternoon,

and Lescot explores the conflict in detail, focusing patiently on each

woman and her troubled psyche. All come through gloriously, illuminating

and beautifully defining their unique characters.

Ensor delivers the most accomplished and arresting performance,

exuding her matter-of-fact sexuality with stinging ripostes. She excels

in a verbal exercise in seduction late in the play with a wedding guest

-- Jason Wesley Green, who’s out for something more meaningful than a

one-night stand -- and flashes her fangs splendidly in a philosophical

showdown with Sutton and her suffocatingly religious attitude.

The most achingly effective interpretation is rendered by Hunt, who

ranges from carefree abandon -- removing her shirt and flashing the

wedding guests from the window -- to painful introspection, describing

her deflowering as a girl of 12 at the hands of her older sister’s

boyfriend.

Sweeney, as an inebriated woman trapped in a loveless marriage, scores

with a bitter account of illicit sex behind a downtown trash bin. Her

marital failure stands as a warning sign to the others.

Normally, a homosexual character would be the most conflicted in a

play, but Conroy not only is well grounded in her lifestyle, she revels

in jokes at her expense. If she has any serious issues, they’re well and

deeply hidden.

Crystal Sutton wraps herself tightly in a shroud of Christianity as

the only virgin at the event, transforming what initially emerges as a

caricature into a full-blooded and conflicted character. Her physical

makeover during the play suggests an emotional one on the way.

Green exudes a confident swagger and sexuality in his cameo

appearance, playing a smirking mating game with Ensor. He unearths his

true concern smoothly and skillfully.

The bridesmaids’ gowns, beautifully designed by Joan Lescot, become

intrinsic characters in the comedic drama. And the Lescots’ setting,

backed by its luxurious bed, nicely accommodates the action while

containing an air of comfortable authenticity.

“Five Women Wearing the Same Dress” is a superior exercise in ensemble

excellence featuring a company of actresses well-schooled in virtuosity

and definitely familiar with each other. It should be part of every

couple’s prenuptial agreement.

CUTLINE: The “Five Women Wearing the Same Dress” at the Theater District

are (front, from left) Deborah Conroy, Christi Sweeney and Shannon Hunt,

while behind them are Alice Ensor (left) and Crystal Sutton.

WHAT: “Five Women Wearing the Same Dress”

WHERE: Theater District, 2930 Bristol St., Costa Mesa

WHEN: Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 7 p.m. through Oct. 2

HOW MUCH: $15 to $20

PHONE: (714) 435-4043