Wagner College Stages 5 WOMEN WEARING THE SAME DRESS, 3/5-10

The Wagner College Theatre will present the hit comedy, "Five Women Wearing the Same Dress," March 5-10 in its Stage One studio theater. This outrageously funny and touching celebration of the female spirit was written in 1993 by Alan Ball, the award-winning creator of the movie, "American Beauty," and the HBO series, "Six Feet Under."

During an ostentatious wedding reception at a Knoxville, Tennessee estate, five women hide out in an upstairs bedroom, each with their own reason for not attending the celebration. As the afternoon goes on, these five very different women discover a common bond in this comedy about friendship and love.

"Ball is a prolific writer who is able to take the audience into controversial issues with humor," says director and Wagner College theater faculty member David McDonald. "The play is about people figuring out the question of why we are so conflicted. I love the fact that it addresses serious issues from many different points of view. It has all of the requirements of an excellent play because of the brilliance of the writer. I was drawn to it right away."

The five women, who share a hatred of the bride because she seems to have it all, spend their time together discussing everything from love and relationships to religion, beauty and personal pain.

"The play is meant to put us in this world where money is a big deal," McDonald says. "It is very political, and it really questions our notions about different taboos and behaviors."

The cast of six includes seniors Elana Abt, Amanda Snyder, Karin Bryeans and Allie Dufford.

"Our students are the best," McDonald says of his cast. "They have to be technicians with the text, brilliant with the language, understand what is happening, and have the courage to play it."

"Five Women Wearing the Same Dress" will be presented in the Stage One Studio Theatre on the campus of Wagner College March 5-9 at 8 p.m., and March 9-10 at 2 p.m. All tickets are $10. For tickets, call the box office at 718-390-3259.