Hallelujah!

Hallelujah! - Ann Aerts et al. posing for the camera - Art

MCT’s show runs through Feb. 4

Take one abandoned church, marry it to the dream of a day spa, and blend in six wacky women and you have “Hallelujah Girls.” Marathon Community Theatre’s newest main stage production opens on Thursday, Jan. 12 and runs through Feb. 4.

The Hallelujah Girls was written by Jones Hope Wooten, a mash-up name of three playwrights: Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope and Jamie Wooten. They are also the funny folk behind the well-known TV show, “The Golden Girls,” as well as other hits. (Locals will remember the recently staged “Dixie Swim Club” in 2012.)

The play’s premise explores the trials and travails of six feisty Southern women who decide that time is precious and life is short after the loss of a dear friend. They believe that if they are ever going to change their lives and achieve their dreams, they need to do it now!  A midlife crisis, some neurotic friends, an ex-fiancé and a few misunderstandings make this a hilarious production. 

The play stars Jenn Mixon-Eick, Kathy Hunt, Nancy Smith, Suzanne Terpos, Trish Hintze and Simone Stanton.

“These women are fun to work with,” said MCT director Fred Hundhammer, who directed “The Producers” last year. “They are working very hard and it’s a very funny show.”

With typical modesty, Hundhammer said he was elected to direct because “so many other of our experienced directors wanted to be in the play.” Carolyn Soucy is the producer of “Hallelujah Girls,” and Hundhammer’s next feat will be producing “Cabaret” — MCT’s next main stage production, already in rehearsal.

Although very much an ensemble performance, Hintze has the lead as Sugar Lee Thompkins, the woman whose idea it is to turn the abandoned church into a spa.

“Let’s put it this way — my character is an independent Southern belle who has a colorful past,” she said, laughing. Hintze’s husband, John Keller, also has a role in the production, as does crowd favorite Neil Angiullo.

The show opens Thursday, Jan. 12 and curtain is at 8 p.m. Performances run Thursday through Saturday every weekend until Saturday, Feb. 4. There will be a special matinee on Sunday, Jan. 29 at 3 p.m. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at www.marathontheater.org, by phone at 305-743-0994 or at the box office between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. For details, call 305-743-0994.

Honey, a cowboy in a tight pair of jeans with a pitcher of Mai Tais can make me forget everything I’ve ever seen.”    Sugar Lee Thompkins

Sara Matthis thinks community journalism is important, but not serious; likes weird and wonderful children (she has two); and occasionally tortures herself with sprint-distance triathlons, but only if she has a good chance of beating her sister.