Echo Theatre previews and opens The Ladies of the Camellias this week

by Shawn Parikh

Echo Theatre is beginning their 10th anniversary season this week with the production of The Ladies of the Camellias. The show previews on Thursday, September 13 and admission is pay-what-you-can. The play then officially opens on Friday, September 14 at 8:00 p.m. Opening night is $25 with a post-play champagne party featuring music by the garage/blues band Merry and the Mood Swings!

The play is by Lillian Groag and is a hilarious love letter to the theatre centering on an imagined meeting between famous divas Sarah Bernhardt and Eleonora Duse. An insightful examination of art, politics, and what it means to “Act” is cleverly woven into the farcical collision of towering egos, monstrous talents, and fanatical political ideals. Rapier wits (as well as actual rapiers!) are employed as these marvelous creatures of the theatre confront true anarchy and an even more terrifying specter: the impending arrival of the “director!”

During the run of the show, many special events will be taking place:

• Talkback with Dr. Gretchen Smith on Friday, September 21 after the show. She is the Associate Professor and Head of Theatre Studies at SMU.
• Sunset on the Lago on Sunday, September 30. Special dinner event where you come early at 4:00 p.m. for drinks then stay after the show for dinner. The cost of the evening is $30 and includes dinner, drinks, and a show. Enjoy dinner with the cast and staff while overlooking White Rock Lake. Food will be catered by Cafe Lago.
• Dinner and a Show every Friday and Saturday before the show. Get a free glass of wine at Cafe Lago when you enjoy dinner before attending the performance. Purchase the ticket online, print out the receipt, reserve your table at Cafe Lago by calling 214-320-0726, present your receipt for your drink, and enjoy head to the show by 8:00 p.m.

The Ladies of the Camellias plays from September 14 - October 6. Thursday evenings are pay-what-you-can, Friday nights are $15, Saturday nights are $20, and Sunday and Thursday matinees are $10.