Review: ENJOY A FUN, “SPIRITED” PRODUCTION at Early Bird Dinner Theater

Three escapees from an unforgiving hot yoga class, also coined as "Lucifer's sweatshop," find themselves becoming unlikely friends in Jones, Hope and Wooten's The Savannah Sipping Society at Early Bird Dinner Theatre. Later joined by a new fourth initially-a-frenemy, the four ladies, transplants to Savannah, share laughter, heartache, fun adventures, and multiple libations and way too much fromage.

Directed by Patrick Brafford and starring Debbie Yones as 'Randa, Samantha Parisi as Marlafay, Karen "Kagey" Good as Dot, and Jink Jenkins as Brick, at an impromptu happy hour, led by self-appointed life coach Brick, they decide to reclaim their lives. After 6 months under Brick's tutelage, if they weren't satisfied, they wouldn't pay her.

Randa is a perfectionist, a workaholic architect, overlooked for a promotion, who is struggling to deal with a derailed career. She's hesitant to friend the women because everything had to make sense and without work, life is devoid of purpose. Dot misses her husband whose unexpected death pulled the rug from under her feet, leaving her starting over from scratch. Marlafaye is a larger-than-life brash Texas cheated-on divorcee looking to start over. Finally, Jinx is the traveler, there in Savannah only to care for an ailing sister, never putting roots down long enough to make a connection.

Marlafaye has some of the best one liners in the production including talking about when she discovered her husband cheating and "cut the crotches out of his pants." Samantha is exceptional with her bubbly Texas charm contrasted by the anger at a hubby cheating on her with dental hygienist.

Dot is the doting grandma-type, more concerned about the welfare of others than herself. The bra scene made me laugh so hard I almost choked on my ice tea.

Randa's initial reaction to Jinx and subsequent bonding over breadsticks was laugh-out-loud funny.

Jinx has an incredible monologue at the end of the show that had several dabbing at their eyes.

All four actresses do an incredible job in this high energy show and the actor's spotlight monologues move the story along at perfect pace.

Running through July 7, the show has the three things needed for a successful production - stellar cast, a gorgeous set, and a script that is truly heartwarming and funny. Though the jokes have sometimes predictable punchlines (the audience was answering), it was a knee-slapper just the same.

From beating dolls to beating the odds, this show is a story of sisterhood, how friendship can bloom and grow even when the only commonality is wanting a life reset.

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