Nora Ephron’s ‘Love, Loss and What I Wore’ opens Jan. 27 at Black Box Theatre

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It’s an all-star cast as Black Box Theatre (BBT) presents “Love, Loss and What I Wore.”

Cast members are Autumn Gieb, Karen Buerdsell, Debbie Jo Felix, Nancy Clein Tafoya and Jamie Bronstein in a production directed by BBT co-owner and founder Ceil Herman.

The play, written by Nora Ephron, Delia Ephron and Ilene Beckerman, opens Friday, Jan. 27, and continues for a three-weekend run at BBT, 430 N. Main St. downtown.

The production is “a play of monologues and ensemble pieces about women, clothes and memory covering all the important subjects – mothers, prom dresses, mothers, buying bras, mothers, hating purses and why we only wear black,” according to www.dramatists.com.

First performed Off-Broadway in 2009, the play is based on Beckerman’s bestselling book. It won a 2010 Drama Desk award (excellence in New York theatre) for unique theatrical experience.

Director Ceil Herman and BBT Resident Designer Peter Herman, who did the light and scenic designs for the show, have seen the play performed in New York and Albuquerque, BBT said.

Ceil Herman said the Las Cruces production “takes a fresh look” at the play.

“Both times when Peter and I saw it, I knew that the actors reading from scripts sitting on stools was necessary for productions that had a different set of actors for each week,” Ceil Herman said. “However, we have been rehearsing since October, so our actors know their lines and are able to fully bring their many characters to life by leaving their chairs. It’s also more fun for our audiences to watch!”

Actors in the Las Cruces production – all dressed in black – “will rise form their chairs to tell their wonderful, funny and moving stories,” BBT said. The clothing described in the play will be picture slides projected onto the stage.

The Las Cruces production’s guest choreographer is Debra Knapp, retired director of dance at New Mexico State University. Bekah Taulbee is the show’s light, sound and projections operator.

Performances are 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Jan. 27-28 and Feb. 3-4 and 10-11; 2:30 p.m. Sundays, Feb. 5 and 12; and 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9.

Tickets are $15 regular admission, $12 for students and seniors over age 65 and $10 for the Thursday, Feb. 9, performance only.

For tickets, visit http://no-strings.org/. Call 575-523-1223.


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