Rosie O'Donnell: Reflections on 'LOVE, LOSS, AND WHAT I WORE

Last night, Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron's new play LOVE, LOSS and WHAT I WORE, an intimate collection of stories, premiered at New York's Westside Theatre with a star-studded cast including Rita Wilson, Mary Birdsong and Rosie O'Donnell. Today, O'Donnell took to her blog to reflect on a memory inspired by the production.

O'Donnell recalls the impact of losing her mother when she was a child -- all of the things that could-have-been, should-have-been, would-have-been -- and the funny, seemingly meaningless encounters that can open up the watershed of suppressed feeling.

To read the post, click here.

The full rotating cast of LOVE, LOSS and WHAT I WORE includes Mary Birdsong, Capathia Jenkins, Lisa Joyce, Jane Lynch and Natasha Lyonne, Samantha Bee, Tyne Daly, Katie Finneran, Natasha Lyonne and Rosie O'Donnell. The second cast (October 21 - November 15) includes Mary Birdsong, Tyne Daly, Lisa Joyce, Jane Lynch and Mary Louise Wilson. The November 18 - December 13 cast includes Kristin Chenoweth, Lucy DeVito, Capathia Jenkins, Rhea Perlman and Rita Wilson.

LOVE, LOSS, and WHAT I WORE, a collection of vignettes and monologues directed by Karen Carpenter, is based on the best-selling book by Ilene Beckerman, as well as on the recollections of the Ephrons' friends. Like the popular book, Love, Loss, And What I Wore uses clothing and accessories and the memories they trigger to tell funny and often poignant stories that all women can relate to.

The complete design team for LOVE, LOSS, and WHAT I WORE includes Jo Winiarski (Scenic Design), Jessica Jahn (Costume Design), Jeff Croiter (Lighting Design), Walter Trarbach (Sound Design) and Maria Verel (Make-Up Design).

A portion of the production's proceeds will benefit Dress for Success, a charity that provides work clothing and job support for low-income women. Audience members will be invited to donate their gently-used purses and other accessories in the theatre lobby.

Tickets ($75.00) are now available via Telecharge.com (212-239-6200) and in-person at The Westside Theatre Box Office (407 West 43rd Street). www.LoveLossOnStage.com

Mary Birdsong. Broadway: Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me (Theatre World Award), Hairspray. Off-B'way: Adult Entertainment; Judy Speaks; Julius Caesar; Moonworks. TV: "Reno 911," "The Daily Show w/Jon Stewart," "Ed," "Welcome to NY," "Late Night With Conan O'Brien" and many never-seen but nevertheless delightful TV pilots. Film: Made of Honor w/Patrick Dempsey, Adventureland (by Superbad's Greg Mottolla), Reno 911!: Miami and Beer League. She also sings in the rock bands 99 Cent Whore and Cottonhead. www.marybirdsong.com

Capathia Jenkins. Broadway: Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me; Caroline, or Change; The Look of Love; Civil War; Stairway To Paradise (Encores!). Off-Broadway: (mis)Understanding Mammy: The Hattie McDaniel Story (Drama Desk Nom.), Godspell. Original Cast recordings: Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me; Caroline, or Change; Godspell; Children of Eden. TV: "30 Rock," "The Practice," "Law & Order," "The Sopranos," "Law & Order: SVU." Movie Soundtracks: Nine; Chicago; Legally Blonde 2. New CD: The Ache Of Possibility with Louis Rosen available online and in stores. www.capathiajenkins.com

Lisa Joyce. NY: Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (The Public); That Pretty Pretty; or, The Rape Play (Rattlestick); Beast (NYTW); U.S. Drag and Vengeance (stageFARM); Red Light Winter (Barrow Street). Regional; Blackbird (Studio, Helen Hayes Award); Doubt (National Tour); Red Light Winter (Steppenwolf). TV/ Film; "The Unusuals," "Fringe," "Law and Order," "Law and Order: SVU," "Kidnapped," "The Brave One," "The Messenger" (upcoming). Thanks to Mom for loving me no matter what and for making my prom dresses.

Jane Lynch cut her theatrical teeth at The Second City, Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago. Recent film credits include Julie & Julia and Post Grad. Past credits include Christopher Guest's For Your Consideration, A Mighty Wind and Best in Show, as well as Role Models, Talladega Nights and The 40-Year-Old Virgin. Jane can be seen in the new FOX series "Glee." Other credits include "Party Down" on STARZ and recurring roles on "Two and a Half Men," "Criminal Minds" and "The New Adventures of Old Christine."

Natasha Lyonne, most recognized from American Pie and the Slums of Beverly Hill, has appeared in over thirty films, including But I'm a Cheerleader, Everyone Says I Love You, Robots, Kate and Leopold, Party Monster, and The Grey Zone. She starred in Mike Leigh's Two Thousand Years for The New Group, directed by Scott Elliott. TV credits include "Will and Grace," "Loving Leah," "If These Walls Could Talk 2," and "Pee-Wee's Playhouse".

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