ANNA MARIA – As the title implies, there’s plenty of drinking going on in “The Savannah Sipping Society,” directed by Mike Lusk and presented by The Island Players. The play is set to run until Sept. 26 at the Island Playhouse on the corner of Gulf Drive and Pine Avenue.
Four women form a strong bond and an unusual friendship after meeting at a hot yoga session, at which none of them excel in any way. The lead character, Randa (played by Jennifer Kwiatkowski), meets Dot and Marlafaye (played by Cathy Hansel-Edgerton and Laura Morales, respectively) after their failed attempt at hot yoga. They decide that a meeting at Randa’s second-floor downtown Savannah veranda is a much better idea, albeit a far less healthy place to meet for an impromptu happy hour after the ladies find they may have more in common than they first thought.
After agreeing to meet at Randa’s, Dot throws a bit of a curveball into the situation by inviting a new friend, Jinx (Susie Lowe), a “beauty technician” who also claims to be a life coach, although she appears to have little training for the job – but is very enthusiastic. This sets the stage for a budding friendship and plenty of laughs.
Each of the ladies has a life issue that has made them question whether they would ever regain the zest for life they once had. But Jinx offers to be their life coach and help them regain their passion for living, although she has her own issue that isn’t revealed until late in the performance.
All of the ladies are over 50 and this provides the platform for many of the show’s laughs. Other comedic platforms include rolling with the punches after getting fired from a professional position (Randa) with restraining order included; a long-range run from a philandering husband (Marla Faye); recovery from the death of a spouse (Dot); and a lifelong search for family (Jinx).
Although some of the topics are dark, they are treated with a heavy dose of self-deprecating humor in a way that only southern women can deliver. Anyone who has ever watched The Golden Girls will feel a familiarity with “The Savannah Sipping Society.” That conclusion is logical since the play was written by the trio of Jessie Jones, Nicolas Hope and Jamie Wooten, who not only wrote for “The Golden Girls” but also authored “The Dixie Swim Club,” a similar story that is “Sipping Society’s” companion piece.
In the case of “The Savannah Sipping Society,” the friends aren’t looking for a relationship with Mr. Right, but rather a refreshment of life and a path to sanity and sympathy. This hilarious production is a treat for the audience and a perfect kick-off to the 73rd season of Island Players.
The production runs through Sunday, Sept. 26 at the Island Playhouse in Anna Maria. Showtimes are Tuesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. with a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. All tickets are $25 and are available at the Island Players box office. Call 941-778-5755 for more information.
