Wedding Belles

It’s the summer of 1942 in Eufala Springs, Texas. Four members of the garden club are busy gossiping and squabbling about flowers, neighbors, and other dire matters. Think Steel Magnolias—but on a smaller, post-menopausal scale. Their meet-up is interrupted, however, when frazzled 18-year-old Ima Jean (Charissa Adams) stumbles off the bus looking for her fiancé before he ships off to war. The older women immediately begin to fuss over her, enthusiastically planning her wedding while stuffing her with lemonade and fried chicken. Wedding Belles is mighty light-hearted for a play set during World War II. (Why is it that, when the groom fails to appear, everyone worries he’s gotten cold feet rather than gone AWOL?) But never mind that. This Texas tale is meant to be pleasant, slightly hokey, and as familiar as reruns of Golden Girls. Members of your local garden club will absolutely adore it. ERIKA HOBART [See Erika’s full review.]

Sept. 22-Oct. 23, 7:30 p.m.; Fri., Sept. 24, 8 p.m.; Sat., Sept. 25, 2 & 8 p.m., 2010