Arian Brumby Dear Matilda,
I’m so glad to hear that your husband was hospitalized for exhaustion! He’s been a thorn in your side for too long. Perhaps now you’ll have more time to play the rain stick. The Garden Party is this Saturday and I’m hoping to make a special connection with Ruby. She and I were very friendly in school. Very friendly… But I digress. The business is doing splendidly. I’ve cured three cats of schizophrenia and a fourth of sad thoughts. Hoping you can bring Muffins by soon. I miss you both terribly. Toodaloo, Gwendolyn
Kim Lowery Dear Diary,
I’m counting down the days until the Garden Party. Vivian is hosting this year, and I simply can’t wait to see what the girls will be wearing. Oh Diary, I cannot admit to anyone else how aroused I am by the thought of all the possibilities. I feel the electricity in the air as the day nears when our spirits will coalesce. Oh, I promise I’ve been good all year long. I’ve followed the rules and done what was asked of me, but now it’s almost that time when I can finally find my freedom again. Yours truly, Dorthy
Kristen Samuelsen Dear Journal,
Harry Houdini died today. I’m extraordinarily shaken up about it. Growing up, he was the one person I could count on to defy the constrains of life as we know it — to make the impossible possible, if you will. When I was a little girl, Isaw his act when he escaped from a milk can filled with water. It mesmerized and excited me. If he could escape death, perhaps I could, too! Now that he’s passed, the impossible seems impossible again. I am filled with woe. I don’t know how I’ll be able to go on. Oh, there’s that Garden Party this weekend. Perhaps that will lift my spirits. Here’s hoping. Until next time, Millie
Emma Holder Dear Lenoire,
I hope sea bathing in Greece is the cure all we hoped it would be for you. That Psoriasis will clear up in no time, I’m sure! The Garden party is this Saturday and it won’t be the same without you, but we must carry on. It will be nice to see all of the ladies. I see Millie and Frankie quite regularly but I haven’t seen Georgia since her New Year’s Eve party. Hopefully no one will bring up the champagne fountain incident. I do wish you would be there to help me stay grounded but I am afraid in your absence I may just have to get wild! Your Sister of Dionysus, Vivian
Lindsey Moringy Dear Diary,
Why why why wasn’t I chosen for the lead role in our community theater’s rendition of “Showboat.” It doesn’t make any sense. I am the gem of this town. Everyone knows my name. Why. In response to the foolish director’s protesting of my destiny, I will be counter-protesting at each showing of “Showboat.” I will march with signs, sing songs of my own, and I expect the entire community to join in my noble cause. I’ve already thought of several chants: “SHOWBOAT, NO BOAT – WE WANT GEORGIA!”
Directed by Kristin Henn/Produced by Kristin Henn & Erika May McNichol
Gardenalia is a Bachanalian garden party. A yearly ritual clandestinely celebrated by women for over 3000 years. Secrets revealed, powers unleashed, patterns observed. A garden party in the 1920’s where the “rituals” heighten to absurdity and release. An experiential comedic and weird experience about the small, strange things people do to navigate the world and the hidden practices of the people you think you know.