River City Players set to perform 'The Dixie Swim Club' next week

Fans of "Steel Magnolias" and "The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood" will find a lot to love in "The Dixie Swim Club," opening Wednesday at Port Cape Girardeau.

Director Larry Davis said the cast and crew are doing a great job to bring together a play that is at turns funny, touching and sweet.

The River City Players, a not-for-profit community theater troupe in Cape Girardeau, will present this story of five women who met on their college swim team, over four weekend getaways together, over the course of their lives.

Davis said he first saw the show a few years ago in Milwaukee, and fell in love with it.

"I thought it would fit space and casting requirements," Davis said, and while finances were also a concern, he said knowing the cast and crew he'd have through the River City Players was a big factor in deciding to do this show.

Melissa Wade, left, Chrissie Shay and Margaret Trager rehearse a scene Wednesday for "The Dixie Swim Club."Fred Lynch

"I fell in love early on," he said. "Once I saw it, I knew I had to do it."

Davis said one of the best aspects of community theater, to him, is how everyone in the cast and crew works on multiple elements of the show.

"Everybody does that -- actors, tech, all help on another side of it," he said.

Patti Wicks, the show's assistant director, said she's eagerly anticipating the audience reaction.

"It's going to be wonderful," she said. "Really fun. I think they'll enjoy it."

Melissa Wade, left, Pam Deneke, Margaret Trager, Chrissie Shay and Holly Raines rehearse a scene Wednesday for "The Dixie Swim Club," presented by the River City Players.Fred Lynch

Holly Raines, who plays Lexie Richards, said she also thinks the audience is going to have a great time.

"It's hard for us as the cast to keep a straight face," she said. "It's hilarious and we get along so well."

Raines said she had a lot of fun getting into her character.

"She's nothing like me, for one thing. That makes it a lot more fun," she said. "She's very vain and frivolous. Spends way too much time admiring herself and too much time making herself look good; she's kind of a man-eater."

Raines said she thinks it's a little boring to portray a character too much like herself.

"It's nice to play someone completely different," she said.

Raines has been with the River City Players for about nine years, she said, both behind the scenes and on set.

"I prefer being onstage," she said.

"Every play's always fun," Raines added.

Chrissie Shay, who plays Sheree Hollinger, said her character is the team captain.

"She's Type A, always super perfect, super organized, a big health nut -- kind of the spear-header of the group," Shay said.

"I like that it's really not acting for me," she said. "I feel a bit typecast, but in a good way."

Shay, who has been acting and working behind the scenes with the River City Players for three years, said her character's Southern accent was a real challenge, but she's excited about the show.

"I just look forward to everything," she said. "Every practice has been good, every rehearsal. It's bittersweet to see it go."

Shay added she thinks it's important to support local community theater.

"We're all working hard. It's volunteer based and it's totally worth it," she said.

Show times are 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday through April 8. Wednesday and Thursday will have dessert buffets, and tickets are $20 each. April 7 and 8 have a dinner buffet, and tickets are $35 each.

For tickets or more information, call (573) 334-0954.

mniederkorn@ semissourian.com

(573) 388-3630

Pertinent address:

19 N. Water St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.