Elena Martinez-Vidal, Kathy Hartzog and Dewey Scott-Wiley Paul Kaufman and Barbara Lowrance Hughes Joe Morales, Gary Pozsik and Tom Beard

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The much anticipated Sordid Lives - that tragic tale of loss, love, and big hair - finally hits the Workshop Theatre stage March 17th. Celebrated playwright Del Shores penned this hilarious, Enquirer-style exposé of small-town Texas life after the accidental death of town matriarch Peggy Ingram. In the middle of a hot summer night, poor Peggy took her last breath in a seedy motel. It wasn't sex that did her in; it was her lover's wooden legs lying in the middle of the floor. She tripped over them and fatally butted heads with the motel room sink. Her lover? A very much married-with-children man.

Sometimes it takes a death to bring a family together. But not right away. Peggy's tragic death brings out the best, the worst, and the peculiar in her family and friends. Steely, social-climbing daughter Latrelle is determined to bury the truth of her mother's illicit affair, while trashy daughter LaVonda enlists the help of spurned spouse Noleta to seek revenge on the cheating husband. Their long-suffering sibling, Earl (a.k.a. Brother Boy, a.k.a. Tammy Wynette), is bent on escaping from Dr. Eve, his tormentor at the mental institution where he has been for 20 years, ever since his penchant for wigs and dresses became more than an obsession. Peggy's sister, Sissy, is trying to quit smoking while dealing with funeral arrangements and her nieces' battle over a mink stole (not who inherits it, but whether or not their momma is going to wear it to her grave). We meet Peggy's grandson, Ty, who is seeing his 27th therapist; her lover, G.W., who is inconsolably grief-stricken, and various and sundry low-lifes, drunks, and ex-cons.

Sordid Lives is one of six plays by Del Shores. First produced in 1996, it ran 13 sold-out months at its original home, the Zephyr Theatre in Los Angeles, receiving 13 Critic's Choice Awards and 14 Drama-Logue Theatre Awards. The Los Angeles Times wrote: "Sordid Lives has more laughs than a hunting dog has ticks. Del Shores is a master of Texas comedy."

In 1999, Shores wrote and directed the film version starring Delta Burke, Beau Bridges, Olivia Newton-John, Bonnie Bedelia, Leslie Jordan and Beth Grant. The movie has become a cult phenomenon akin to Rocky Horror Show. "The most delicious combination of emotion and laugh out loud hilarity to come along in the new Millennium. . . . The Birdcage meets the Bible Belt – and the result is the most hilarious comedy of the year." The New York Times Syndicate

Greg Leevy brings his always spirited direction to this Southern Gothic cult classic. "I first discovered Sordid Lives five years ago when I rented the movie. I was laughing so hard that I cried," says Leevy. "It's funny, touching, and full of surprises. Great theatre! I've waited a long time to direct it, and I just thank my lucky stars that so many talented, sought-after theatre pros wanted to be involved with the project."

Leevy has indeed assembled a veritable "Who's Who" roster of actors: Dewey Scott-Wiley, Kathy Hartzog (making her Workshop Theatre debut), Elena Martínez-Vidal, Becky Hunter, Gary Pozsik, Joe Morales, Tom Beard (returning to the stage after 20 years of musical directing), Barbara Lowrance Hughes, Monica Wyche, Paul Kaufmann, Robin Gottlieb, and Gary Jeffers.

Leevy has also put together a top-drawer production team. Pam Johnson and Ann Burns (Producers), Walter O'Rourke and Randy Strange (Set Design), Barry Sparks (Light design), Clay Owens (Costume Design), David Swicegood (Hair Design), and Toni Sheridan and Frank Rose (Stage Managers). Robert Barnes, Jerry Kelly, Wil Sligh, and "Something Special Flowers & Gifts" are the generous sponsors for this exciting production.

The characters of Sordid Lives aren't afraid of doing things that are off-limits in a family show – having affairs, cross-dressing, and stripping to their skivvies. But neither do they shy away from serious themes such as bigotry, guilt, homosexuality, forgiveness and acceptance. Dubbing Sordid Lives the ultimate "black comedy about white trash," Leevy calls the play "a drinkin', smokin', cussin' hoot!" For that reason, Workshop cautions its patrons that the play is not appropriate for most children.

Performances are nightly at 8:00 pm March 17, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 30, 31, and April 1 with one matinee showing Sunday, March 26 at 3:00 pm. Prices for tickets are $18 for adults, $16 for seniors 60 and over, students and active military. The show is not appropriate for children under 12. Group rates are available week nights only. For information, call 803-799-6551.

Reservations may be made in several ways. You may fill in the reservation form inside on page 3 and mail it to the theatre at PO Box 11555, Columbia, SC 29211; you may call the box office at 799-6551; or you may come by the theatre.

Here's the order of priority for filling orders:

1. Members who mail in reservations.
   
2. Members in person /on the phone starting noon March 8 through March 10.
   
3. Non-members who mail in reservations.
   
4. Anyone who calls or comes in during Box Office hours (noon - 5:30) weekdays starting March 13.