Alhambra Theatre & Dining's THE DIXIE SWIM CLUB Begins Tonight

The Alhambra Theatre & Dining will feel like the beaches of North Carolina this August as it opens The Dixie Swim Club, a heartwarming comedy about the power of friendship by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope & Jamie Wooten. The play focuses on five Southern women who met on their college swim team and for 30 years have set aside a long weekend every August to meet up at the same beach cottage on North Carolina's Outer Banks to recharge their relationships. Free from their husbands, children, and jobs, the ladies catch up, laugh and meddle in each other's lives.

The Dixie Swim Club focuses on four of those weekends and spans a period of thirty-three years, during which life flings challenges at them, throws wrenches into their plans, and helps them prove the enduring power of 'teamwork.'

The cast will celebrate what Executive Director Tod Booth is calling the "Grand Dames of the Alhambra:" Lisa Clarson, Patty Eyler, Lisa Valdini and Brooks Anne Hayes-Meierdienks. Rounding out the cast will be New York actress and Ft. Myers (FL) native Elizabeth Rothan. "If 90% of directing is casting, then we will prove the adage with this cast," said Booth. "All of these southern women will bring out the best of this funny and heart-warming script."

Bringing that script to life are some of the funniest characters the Alhambra has had, including, Sheree (Clarson), the spunky team captain, who desperately tries to maintain her organized and 'perfect' life, and continues to be the group's leader. Dinah (Eyler), the wisecracking overachiever, who is a career dynamo, but her victories in the courtroom are in stark contrast to the frustrations of her personal life. The self-deprecating and acerbic Vernadette (Hayes-Meierdienks), acutely aware of the dark cloud that hovers over her life, has decided to just give in and embrace the chaos. And sweet, eager-to-please Jeri Neal (Valdini) experiences a late entry into motherhood that takes them all by surprise. Lexie (Rothan) the pampered and outspoken one, is determined to hold on to her looks and youth as long as possible, and enjoys being married - repeatedly.

The writing team behind The Dixie Swim Club includes Jessie Jones, co-author of the play Dearly Departed, which became the star-laden 2001 film Kingdom Come, Nicholas Hope, who has written award winning plays and television episodes, and Jamie Wooten, who spent many years as writer/producer for The Golden Girls. Often compared to Steel Magnolias, The Dixie Swim Club is a poignant and surprising comedy that is sure to warm audiences' hearts like a North Carolina seaside holiday

As he does for every show, Executive Chef DeJuan Roy has created a menu for The Dixie Swim Club consistent with the show's themes. The salad course will feature a choice of Black Eye Pea Salad with cucumber, tomato, cilantro, and lime chili dressing or Yellow Tomato Gazpacho with watermelon essence. The choice of entrees include, Aunt Mae's Fried Chicken served with butter whipped Yukon gold potatoes southern style creamed corn, or Herb Crusted Tilapia with fresh tomato relish, baked cheese grits and stewed okra, or Baked Portobello Parmesan with vegetable spaghetti, or Carolina pulled pork with Johnny cakes cole slaw, and bbq black-eyed peas. For dessert, a choice of Myer Lemon Pound Cake with fruit compote Or Red Velvet Cheesecake.

The Dixie Swim Club will run at the Alhambra tonight, August 7 through September 15. Show times are 8:00 PM for evening shows Tuesday through Sunday. Doors open at 5:30 PM and dinner will be served until 7:30 PM. Matinees on Saturday are at 1:15 PM. Doors open at 11:00 AM and brunch starts at 11:15 AM. Sunday matinee is at 2:00. Doors open at noon and the meal start at 12:15 PM. Group sales are available. Regular pricing for tickets starts at $46 for adults. Ticket price includes dinner, show and parking. Call the box office at 904.641.1212 or www.alhambrajax.com.

The Alhambra Theatre & Dining is the nation's longest continuously operating professional dinner theater and the only professional resident theater between Atlanta and Miami. Opened in 1967, The Alhambra has hosted legends such as Tony Curtis, Claude Aiken, Sid Cesar and Cesar Romero, and, recently, Michael Learned, Lance Nichols, Sally Struthers, Barry Williams, Loretta Swit and Jamie Farr. The Alhambra was the place of Betty Grable's final acting role. In November 2009, the Alhambra was purchased by Theatre Partners, LLC, headed by Jacksonville entrepreneur and Alhambra patron, Craig Smith as way to give back to Jacksonville and preserve what he believes is one of its cultural jewels. The Alhambra was recently named by Jacksonville Magazine as Jacksonville's Best Dining Destination and also received a Certificate of Honor from Trip Advisor as one of the most favorably reviewed establishments in the country.

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