Love, Loss, and What I Wore Playing at The Paramount

THUNDER BAY – ENTERTAINMENT – Local impresario Lawrence Badanai directs a lighthearted and witty peek into five women’s lives, using their wardrobes as a time capsule of events. Winner of the 2010 Broadway.com Audience Award for Favorite New Off-Broadway Play, it was described by Charles Isherwood for the New York Times’ as “a scrapbook of stories about unfortunate prom dresses, the traumatic lighting in fitting rooms, high heels, short skirts and the existential state of having nothing to wear.”

Nearly every female has a similar emotionally charged story or two about articles of clothing, which is part of what makes Love, Loss, and What I Wore so satisfying. Men may not get it, but women do: What we’re wearing during a major life-changing event can never be separated from the event itself. “I think it’s for everybody. I think it’s important for men to go so that they understand us better” said Beverley Gravelle MacLeod, one of the seven actress in the show. “This play will make you laugh and cry—and perhaps make you wonder why you’re REALLY hanging on to those jeans from junior high” said another cast member Candi Badanai.

It’s a play by, for, and about women: their lives, their memories, their mothers…and their clothes. >From first bras to prom dresses to that little black dress, women have a deep and abiding love/hate relationship with their wardrobes. This intimate collection of stories by superstar sisters Nora Ephron (Sleepless in Seattle, When Harry Met Sally, Heartburn) and Delia Ephron (You’ve Got Mail, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants), is based on the best-selling book. The show has played to sell-out crowds from London to Los Angeles, using clothing and accessories and the memories they trigger to tell funny, startling, and often poignant stories that every woman can relate to.

“When it’s all fluff, people don’t connect with it very well,” said Lawrence Badanai who hopes to ‘redress’ the typical summer theatre production. “Summer theatre can be thought light pieces of entertainment to suit the season… but there is no reason why strong bold shows such as this will not also attract an audience.” The show also attracted top local talent as it features seven actresses in the production: Armelle Sandford, Beverley Gravelle MacLeod, Candi Badanai, Heidi-Mae Gordon, Jesica McNabb,Julie MacCoy, and Tara Rowe.

Love, Loss, and What I Wore will play at the Paramount Theatre on July 22 to 24, 29 to 31, 8pm nightly. Tickets are only $15 and are available from: The Loop, Steeper’s, Wiggles & Giggles and the door.