Actresses tee up for Wichita Community Theatre’s ‘Ladies Foursome’

When director Elisa Balleau was auditioning for a quartet of women for the Wichita Community Theatre play “The Ladies Foursome,” they had to show they could swing a golf club.

“I wanted to make sure they could fake it until they made it,” she said.

Of the four actresses cast — Julie Williams, Liz Anderson, Angela Forrest and Ashley McCracken-Christy — only one, Williams, had any golf experience, and it was at least 10 years since she hit the links.

Balleau said the actresses took it upon themselves to study golfers’ mannerisms and swings to incorporate into their performance, which is set at 18 holes — plus the 19th watering hole — at a country club.

“They’ve done their homework,” she said.

In “Ladies Foursome,” which opens this weekend, three friends played by Williams, Anderson and Forrest gather the day after the funeral of their friend and fourth, and are joined by another friend they don’t know, played by McCracken-Christy.

Playing longtime friends was a challenge for the four, since at the first rehearsals only Anderson knew everyone else.

“There was some rapport that’s already existed but a lot that’s been gained during the run of the show,” Anderson said.

But the rapport and camaraderie came easily.

“I can tell you these girls are connected,” Balleau said. “They have met on their own outside of rehearsal time. Trying to get rehearsals started on time is sometimes an adventure in itself, because the talking never stops. They have created quite a connection among the four of them, and it’s a pleasure to see.”

Balleau, in her first WCT directing role, got her first choice of a play approved by the play selection committee.

“I loved the story,” she said. “The characters are just a group of phenomenal women and the story line is very timely. It’s not somber, but it deals with some serious issues. The timing and the comedic elements are just great. It’s a show that has it all.”

Balancing the comedy and drama hasn’t been difficult, the actresses say.

“The way it’s written it’s pretty easy to do,” Williams said. “There’s a lot of comedy but some serious moments that come up. The subject matter makes it pretty easy to deal with, and it’s dealt with with humor.”

‘THE LADIES FOURSOME’

When: Through June 19; performances at 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays

Where: Wichita Community Theatre, 258 N. Fountain

Tickets: $15 for adults, $13 for students, military and seniors (60 and older) at 686-1282