'Sordid Lives' returns to stage for Pygmalion Theatre Company

The 2009-10 season was a good one for Pygmalion Theatre Company.

" 'Dottie Dixon' was a huge success, and so was 'Lady Day,' " said artistic director Fran Pruyn.

" 'Lady Day' brought a new audience to our shows, which was exciting, and Dottie was pivotal. Then people would come up to me during 'Dottie' and say, 'I can't wait for 'Sordid Lives.' "

The play, by Del Shores, is a return engagement — another successful production for the theater company in 2008.

"It was tremendously, tremendously successful," Pruyn said. "I think the characters, despite their Southern origins, are so relatable; particularly the women."

"Sordid Lives" is a "black comedy about white trash."

Mamma has died in a cheap motel room under less-than-glowing circumstances. Now the family is coming home for the funeral.

"Families don't always get along," Pruyn said. "And all these people are in the same room for the first time in 20 years."

With a cast filled with local favorites — Vicki Pugmire, Teresa Sanderson, Tamara Howell, Alexander Bala, Barbara Raye Gandy among others, "Sordid Lives" is "an easy show to see in the spring," Pruyn said. "It isn't completely fluff, but this is a fun night out, you don't have to think too hard."

"Sordid Lives," May 13-29, Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, 138 W. 300 South, Thursday-Sunday, times vary, matinees available. Tickets are $20 (801-355-2787 or www.arttix.org).

Here are the rest of this week's openings:

"Bingo," May 11-22, The Grand Theatre, 1575 S. State.

The Utah premiere of the off-Broadway hit.

Come meet Vern, Honey and Patsy, three pals that have driven through a terrible storm in the name of their weekly obsession — bingo, where strange rituals occur and long-lost friends reunite.

The audience gets in on the bingo fun, too, by playing along. Starring Breezy Bassett, Loria Badali Call, Wanda Copier, Erica Hansen, Jeff Parry, Camille Van Wagoner and Jayceen Walker Craven.

Shows are nightly, except Sunday, 7:30 p.m., with Saturday matinees available. Tickets are $8-$24 (801-957-3322 or www.the-grand.org).

"To Kill a Mockingbird,"through June 19, Hale Center Theater Orem, 225 W. 400 North, Orem.