The College of the Canyons theatre department will present its production of the matrimonial themed comedy “Five Women Wearing the Same Dress,” running for only two weekends this month at the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center (PAC) Black Box Theater.

Written by “First Blood” and “Six Feet Under” creator Alan Ball, “Five Women Wearing the Same Dress” is set against the backdrop of a wedding reception in Knoxville, Tennessee.

At the seemingly joyous event are five reluctant, but identically clad, bridesmaids who find themselves hiding in an upstairs bedroom — each avoiding the proceedings for their own personal reasons. However, as the afternoon lingers on this group of seemingly very different women discover a common bond in what turns out to be a wickedly funny, irreverent and touching celebration of the women’s spirit.

“Audiences will enjoy watching the ‘behind the scenes’ comedy and drama surrounding this very Southern wedding reception,” said Paul Wickline, chair of the COC theatre department and director of the production. “Writer Alan Ball perfectly captures the voices of these characters and provides audiences with a witty, insightful look at what has become a rite of passage for almost every American woman – the wearing of the bridesmaid dress.”

From left: Theatre students Chelsea Van Duyn, Annie Horak (foreground), Aubrie Alexander, Riley Gallagher and Kate Ridgewell.

The COC theatre production of “Five Women Wearing the Same Dress” will open at the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center (PAC) Black Box Theater at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11.

Additional performances will take place at: 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12; 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 13; 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18; 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20.

Tickets for all performances are $11 for adults and $6 for students/seniors.

The production contains profanity, brief partial nudity and adult situations and is recommended for mature audiences only. Children under the age of five will not be allowed in the theater.

This production is being presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc.

More About the Cast & Crew

The cast of “Five Women Wearing the Same Dress” will feature several actors who got their theatrical start at one of the Santa Clarita Valley’s local high schools, before taking their talents to College of the Canyons.

Valencia High School (VHS) alumna Riley Gallagher joins the cast of “Five Women Wearing the Same Dress” by taking on the role of “Frances.” Gallagher first discovered her passion for acting while in still high school, appearing in several VHS productions while also participating in the Drama Teachers Association of Southern California annual drama festivals.

COC theatre major and West Ranch High School graduate Chelsea Van Duyn got her theatrical start while still in junior high, by participating in several community theatre musicals. Van Duyn — who made her COC on-stage debut during the spring 2013 production of “SubUrbia — has completely dedicated herself to theatre courses this semester, even exploring the often overlooked art of stagecraft.

COC freshman Kate Ridgewell was bit by the acting bug at a young age when a childhood trip to Disneyland led to her being selected from the audience to help act out a scene on stage. Since then the Academy of the Canyons graduate, who enrolled in COC theatre classes while still working toward her high school diploma, has continued to hone her acting skills, and is now set to make her COC production debut in the role of “Georgeanne.”

Meanwhile, COC student Julia Haimowitz will be making the transition from actor to assistant director, now working to please audiences from behind the scenes after previously starring in the COC theatre productions of “Lend me a Tenor” and “The Importance of Being Earnest.”

The entire cast list for the COC theatre production of “Five Women Wearing the Same Dress” is listed below:

* Riley Gallagher … Frances

* Aubrie Alexander … Meredith

* Chelsea Van Duyn … Trisha

* Kate Ridgewell… Georgeanne

* Annie Horak … Mindy

* Scott Duncan … Tripp

For more information or to purchase tickets please visit www.CanyonsPAC.com or call (661) 362-5304.