Stage 9 opens its 2025 season on Thursday with the story of four Savannah, Ga. women, personal hardships, and the friendships that develop in “The Savannah Sipping Society.”
Director and Stage 9 Board President Theresa Teufel described the play as “lighthearted, warm, caring and feel-good.”
“We are performing it on Valentine’s Day weekend, which is perfect because it’s a great ‘galentines’ show,” she said. “It is ‘Steel Magnolias’ meets ‘Golden Girls’ meets ‘Sweet Home Alabama.'”
Gayle Hamblin portrays Marlafaye Mosely, whom she describes as “larger than life.”
“She’s all out there. A good ol’ Texas gal,” she said.
This is Hamblin’s first production at Stage 9. She has performed in Pratt, Wichita, Kingman and Pretty Prairie and lives in the Kingman area.
“It was very serendipitous,” she said. “I heard a radio ad about Stage 9 needing ‘mature women.’ I said, ‘Well, I’m a mature woman.’ There aren’t a lot of roles for older women, so I auditioned, and the worst thing that could happen to me is to get cast.”
Hamblin retired a year ago from 17 years as the office manager for Wheatlands Healthcare Center in Kingman and decided to get back into theater. She said her parents encouraged her to participate in high school theater.
“For a shy person, I’m used to projecting my voice. It’s very easy to be someone else on a stage,” she said. “The show is very fun and very funny. There is a good connection between the characters and the cast. I feel very blessed to meet people I would never have met in my life. Hopefully, the audience will join us in the laughter and fun.”
Michele Waln appears as Dot Haigler, a recent widow who is trying to manage as a single woman.
“Dot is someone who was happily married for a long time and has to navigate life without him. It’s a journey for her. She has a lot of spunk left in her and wants new experiences,” she said. “She definitely warms up to the group as she goes along.
Waln is the Chief Culture Officer at Heartland Credit Union, working roles in marketing, human resources and educational development. She last performed in Stage9’s 2019 production “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder.” The Valentine, Neb. native lives in Hutchinson.
“Come enjoy yourself. It is lighthearted. It is poignant. It is about making things happen and not sitting around waiting. It’s relatable,” she said.
Debi Dunlap portrays Randa Covington, a high-strung, recently employed perfectionist on whose porch the ladies begin gathering.
This is Dunlap’s first Stage 9 production. She previously appeared in community productions in Hays and lives in Cunningham.
Dunlap describes Randa as someone who “is trying really hard to put on the right image. She just wants to be good enough. She’s a workaholic. Throughout the show she learns how to relax and have balance. She is very uptight.”
Skye Colaw appears as Jinx Jenkins, the free-spirited, loyal friend of the group. Colaw most recently appeared in the Family Community Theater’s 2024 production of “12 Angry Jurors.” She lives in McPherson.
“I think it’s the show that makes you feel like you’re hanging out with your friends. You’re just so excited to be with them,” Colaw said. “Women of my age can relate to how you are with your friends, telling each other secrets when things go wrong. It’s your girls that are there for you.”
“The Savannah Sipping Society” opens runs Thu. through Sun., Feb. 13-16. The Thu. through Sat. shows begin at 7:30 p.m. and the Sun. at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and $10 for children. They are available at the door and online at Stage9hutch.com.
The next Stage 9 production will be “A Piece of My Heart,” running Apr. 24 – 27. Auditions will be held Thu. Feb. 20, at 6:30 p.m. and Sat., Feb. 22, at 11 a.m. at 9 South Main St.
