Young or old. Fat or thin. Gay or straight. “Love, Loss, and What I Wore,” which will be on stage at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts through June 16, is a “can’t miss” for every woman. It had us crying one minute, then squealing with laughter a split second later.
Addressing issues like shopping for your first bra, the coveted little black dress, weddings, the death of a child, mother-daughter relationships, lust and cancer, “Love, Loss, and What I Wore” is pertinent to all women.
This intimate collection of stories by Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron is based on the best seller by Ilene Beckerman, as well as on the recollections of the Ephrons’ friends. Like the popular book, the show uses clothing and accessories and the memories they trigger to tell funny and often poignant stories that all women can relate to, creating one of the most enduring theater experiences. The all-star cast features Dee Hoty (“Mamma Mia!”), Sabrina LeBeauf (“The Cosby Show”), Amanda Setton (“The Mindy Project”), Zuzanna Szadkowski (“Gossip Girl”) and Dawn Wells (“Gilligan’s Island”).
It takes each member of a predominantly female audience on a journey through the pains and joys of womanhood. The bold, and often humorous topics begin by reminiscing the first special dress for a five year old girl, hysterically rebels against the black hole purse dilemma, and concludes by admitting defeat in a shapeless Eileen Fisher garb.
The most wonderful thing about this play is how intimately every woman in the theater knew each other without ever having met. There is something unique and unspoken among women which made this incredibly clever, sensitive and poignant play touch each heart in the same way at the same time. By its response, the energy of the audience was the sixth cast member. At the end, our only disappointment was that it was over. We each commented that we could stay and listen to these women go on all night about the wars, woes and wonderful blessings of our lives.
The venue at Scottsdale Performing Arts Theater was perfect. Its modern design and efficient staff made for a most enjoyable evening. In the lobby before the play, we sat and gabbed sipping wine, mesmerized by the spinning art suspended from the ceiling above. The seats in the theater were very comfortable and the steep design of the rows ensured that there isn’t a bad seat in the house.
For us, it is the perfect girls night out for you and your friends.
