Theater Review: ‘The Sweet Delilah Swim Club’ May Just Swim Its Way Into Your Heart

Auditions Will Take Place November 19 and 21 for “Other Desert Cities”

By SAMANTHA J. CURTIS | Contributing Writer

Written by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope and James Wooten, “The Sweet Delilah Swim Club” offers a sweet and entertaining look into the lives of five former college swim team members, Southern women who meet one weekend every August in the Outer Banks of North Carolina for a reunion.

The show offers us a glimpse into four such weekends, spanning over 30 years, beginning in their mid-40s … and what a delight it was to be a fly on the wall of their beach cottage.

The life surprises and challenges shared during these weekends—including coming to terms with aging—are relatable and relevant. Regardless of conflicts and starkly differing personalities and life paths, these women are connected by a bond and love for each other; we see them evolve and use humor to weather life’s storms.

Accurately described as a mixture of “Steel Magnolias,” “The Golden Girls” and “Designing Women,” “Swim Club” adds its own flavor and may appeal particularly to fans of those genres.

The “Swim Club” cast and crew is made up of some of Theatre Palisades’ tried and true, who do not disappoint. Director Sherman Wayne, who most recently directed “Lend Me a Tenor” and its follow-up “Comedy of Tenors,” again nails his casting. The chemistry between these women makes for both a touching and rollicking good time, their one-liners zinging off each other with expert precision.

In order of appearance, Maria O’Connor, most recently seen in “Harvey” and the “Tenor” productions, plays Sheree, the ever-constant team captain, giving a warm and bright performance that provides a foundation to the show.

It’s a treat to watch Laura Goldstein, last on stage in “Harvey” and “Prisoner of Second Avenue,” shine as the self-obsessed, man-crazy Lexi who, underneath, has a huge heart. This is a different kind of role than we have seen her in before—and one I hope we get to see more of, as she nails it.

As workaholic lawyer Dinah, Michele Shultz is fun to watch, offering a layered and authentic performance. Mary Allwright plays unlucky Vernadette; the commentary and one-liners due to that bad luck offer up much laughter, and Allwright’s comedic deliveries are one for the books.

Martha Hunter’s performance as former nun Jeri Neal rolls off her with comedic sweetness and funny innocence the way her list of Theatre Palisades’ credits could roll off this page.

Individually these women have track records proving themselves to be exceptional actresses in their own rite; seeing them together is pure delight.

With a set by Sherman Wayne and costumes by Alta Abbott that add to its authenticity and charm, “Sweet Delilah Swim Club” plays through December 11 on Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. at Pierson Playhouse, located at 941 Haverford Avenue. For tickets, call 310-454-1970 or visit theatrepalisades.org.

For those who are looking to get involved with a Theatre Palisades production, auditions will soon be held for its next show: “Other Desert Cities” by Jon Robin Baitz.

Billed as a family drama, casting will be two women in their 50s to 60s, one woman in her 30s to 40s, one man in his 50s to early 70s, and one man in his 20s to mid-30s.

All auditions will take place at Pierson Playhouse, with a time scheduled for Saturday, November 19, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Monday, November 21, from 7 to 9:30 p.m.

The roles are billed as “non-union, no pay, but lots of fun.” “Other Desert Cities” is slated to open Friday, January 13, for a six-week run.

For more information, contact Hunter, who will produce the show, at marthahunter@gmail.com.