Announcing the cast of "Designing Women"
From top left, Carmen Cusack to star as Julia Sugarbaker; Sarah Colonna is Mary Jo Shively; Carla Renata is Cleo Bouvier; Amy Pietz is Suzanne Sugarbaker; Elaine Hendrix is Charlene Frazier; and Kim Matula is Haley McPhee
TheatreSquared presents the world premiere of Designing Women, a new play by Linda Bloodworth Thomason, the creator of the megahit television series. High-definition streaming will begin on October 1.
The debut cast for the show includes actors from stage and screen. Broadway’s Carmen Cusack (Wicked, Bright Star, South Pacific), a Tony Award nominee, plays the indomitable Julia Sugarbaker. Amy Pietz (Caroline in the City, The Office) will portray Suzanne Sugarbaker. Actor and comedian Sarah Colonna (Shameless, Chelsea Lately) takes on the role of Mary Jo Shively, while Elaine Hendrix (Dynasty, Parent Trap) plays Charlene Frazier to round out the iconic quartet. Joining the Sugarbaker design firm is Cleo Bouvier—played by Carla Renata (Hart of Dixie, Avenue Q)—the cousin of Anthony who has taken over his stake in the business, and Haley McPhee—played by Kim Matula (The Bold &The Beautiful, LA to Vegas) who is just starting out as the new receptionist. Finally, the cast will also include newcomer Elizabeth Ofodile playing Cleo's daughter, Alfie.
"Designing Women has a special magic," said Bloodworth Thomason, "and a ubiquitous appeal. It would seem to be the perfect theatrical venue for sharing an evening of humor while sitting next to people you can’t stand."
Throughout its seven-year run, the critically acclaimed and multi-Emmy nominated series was not only famous for its razor-sharp, southern dialogue but also its surprising ability to cut across political, cultural and social factions that rarely agree on anything.
It's 2020 and Julia, Suzanne, Mary Jo and Charlene are back—and they have plenty to say about our current times. COVID is raging, a consequential election is just days away, and Atlanta is at the center of the storm.
Harry Thomason, director and executive producer of the Designing Women television show, native Arkansan and spouse of Bloodworth Thomason, will direct the play. T2 associate artistic director Amy Herzberg will co-direct. The creative team for Designing Women also includes Kimberly V. Powers (scenic designer), Helene Siebrits (costume designer), Jason Lynch (lighting designer), Chris Renfro (Sound Designer), and Brodie Jasch (props designer), with casting direction by Elizabeth Barnes, CSA & Seth Caskey, CSA.
Designing Women continues as the fourth in-person production at TheatreSquared since the company’s return to live performance in April. In July, T2 celebrated its best-attended production in its 15-year history with Matilda: The Musical presented at Fayetteville Public Library. The return to in-person performance comes after a year of streaming work featured among the "Top Theatre of 2020" by The New York Times along with recognition as an "outstanding drama company" by The Wall Street Journal.
Tickets
Performances of Designing Women are scheduled Tues–Sat at 7:30, and Sat. and Sunday at 2 pm at TheatreSquared in 477 W. Spring Street in downtown Fayetteville, Arkansas.
The performance is available to stream at home beginning on October 1. There is one streaming window available every 24 hours and access ranges from $25-$35.
Tickets range from $18–$58. All fees are included, with no additional charges at checkout.
Subscription packages for TheatreSquared include full seven-play packages starting at $119, with four-to-six-play flex packages starting at $69. Benefits for season ticket holders include savings of up to 20% on every show, free unlimited exchanges, discounted reserved parking, and same-day discounts in the Commons Bar/Café and other T2 Restaurant & Hotel Partners.
Through T2’s Lights Up! For Access program, supported by the Walmart Foundation, SNAP benefit recipients can purchase $1 tickets, while students and patrons under the age of 30 can purchase $10 tickets. For more information, visit theatre2.org/lights-up. Fully subsidized, free tickets are also available for clients of a number of local community service organizations.
Subscriptions and single tickets can be reserved by calling TheatreSquared at (479) 777-7477 or by visiting theatre2.org.