Love, Loss and What I Wore

Sometimes it's a song on the radio or a movie that will evoke some especially powerful memories for me.  Maybe even a scent or a comfort food.  I never really thought of myself as much of a fashionista, so the thought of my fashion choices bringing up thoughts of past events, or people who have crossed my path never really occurred to me.

Once I started thinking about it, I really do have many wonderful memories sparked by an article of clothing or an outfit, and even some not so wonderful.  Poor fashion choices my mother made for me without considering my opinion or feelings.  For example the $19 very basic First Holy Communion dress in 1971, over the more elaborate $25 dress with glitter and rhinestones that Nancy's mother chose for her.  My mother and I have never had the same flavor in clothes and I've been blessed with a daughter has her own style as well.  Glitter Gurl and I haven't seen eye to eye on an article of clothing since she was about 4 years old.

Earlier this week I had the pleasure of sitting in the audience at the Broadway Playhouse.  When did they stop calling it Drury Lane Theatre at Water Tower Place? Glitter Gurl and I giggled and rolled our eyes as we watched five very talented women share stories of love and life featuring articles of clothing they wore at different times.

Love, Loss and What I Wore is a play written by Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron based on the 1995 book of the same name by Ilene Beckerman.  The dynamic cast included, Second City's Roni Geva, Cindy Gold, an Associate Professor of Theatre and Head of Acting at Northwestern University, the lovely Taylor Miller, formerly of All My Children, Barbara Robertson, best known for playing Madame Morrible in Wicked and 2011 Most Promising Actress nominee, Whitney White.  Loretta Swit of M*A*S*H joins the cast on November 8th.

Although the stories are not personal, the actors' renditions are very convincing.  Who among us can not relate to getting their first bra or that ongoing search for the perfect little black dress?  Or a closet full of clothes and you swear you have absolutely nothing to wear.  Some of the stories shared were more emotional, including the story of a woman raped in college, a breast cancer survivor and a mother sharing the story of when her toddler died.

Clothes do spark memories.  Some good, some bad.  Some happy, some sad.

Grab some girl friends and head over to Love, Loss and What I Wore playing at Broadway Playhouse thru December 4th.  Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.

Disclaimer:  Margie Korshak Inc. provided tickets for the performance but did not ask me to write about it.  All opinions are my own.