To kickstart the second half of their 2024-2025 season, student-run theatre company Second Studio will be opening Evan Linder and Andrew Hobgood’s “5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche.” Directed by Southern Utah University student Leona Lombardi, the show features an entirely assigned female at birth cast and creative team.
“5 Lesbians” is set in 1956, at the Susan B. Anthony Society for the Sisters of Gertrude Stein’s annual quiche breakfast. During the meeting, atomic bomb sirens interrupt the peace, sending the women into chaos and classic 1950s fear of communism. The titular lesbians must face their relationship with society and one another, in a way they never have before.
“One thing that is big for me in this show is the idea of sisterhood and community,” said Lombardi. “These girls come together every other year, and they just support and lift each other up, and they make this space that is safe for them to be in.”
The show is an ensemble show, with all five cast members having a moment in the spotlight. Each cast member was given ample room to explore their characters by Lombardi, which she feels has pushed them to make many discoveries.
“All of these girls are so incredibly talented and dedicated and hard working and just a blast to be around,” said Sloane Saunders, who plays Vern. “It’s been really fun to be part of a smaller, really ensemble heavy show.”
The rehearsal process for the show has been generally run-of-the-mill, with the exception of stage manager Laura Nelson having joined the process a few weeks into it.
“I’ve probably been a part of this for the past three weeks, and I’ve had to kind of accelerate my process,” said Nelson.
“5 Lesbians” is, at its core, a comedy, but still allows for the exploration of serious topics.
“It’s not super complicated and there are nuances, but [at] surface level, it’s funny, and people enjoy it,” said Makadie Miller, who plays Wren.
The cast and crew of “5 Lesbians” have hope that audiences will walk away from the show with open minds and feel like they were a part of the story.
“These queer stories are important, especially in society today, but we tell that story in such a fun and light hearted way, and I think that’s just what students need right now,” said Saunders.
“5 Lesbians” runs an hour, and features opportunities for audience participation.
“Specifically this show, in this environment, makes it very easy for an audience member to become really in the world and just have a good time,” said Nelson.
“5 Lesbians” runs Feb. 20-22 at 7:30 p.m., with an additional matinee at 2 p.m. on Feb. 22. The show will take place in the Auditorium Black Box Theatre, and tickets are available online and at the door. Tickets cost $5, which goes to supporting Second Studio’s efforts to bring student-produced theatre to SUU.
“I do hope that [audiences] feel like they belong in this space and they’re part of this community and this sisterhood that the girls have created,” said Lombardi.
Author: Tessa Cheshire
Photos courtesy of Leona Lombardi
Editor: Heather Turner and Anna Mower
arts@suunews.net
