November 1,2 & 9
In a lively, small-town senior citizens center, Southern charm mixes with cliques, rivalries, and long-held grudges. Old wounds reopen and surprising alliances form with tension rising in ways that are both hilarious and heartfelt. With dynamic characters and dialogue that swings between sass and sincerity, Mean Ladies celebrates the enduring power of friendship—and the unapologetic joy of finally sitting where you belong.
The Sunday, November 2 performance is SOLD OUT.
A Sunday performance on November 9 has been added.
Meet the playwright
Laurie Allen is a West Texas playwright whose work has been widely performed across the U.S. and internationally. With nine published books—including Power Plays, Acting Duets for Young Women, and 22 Comedy Ten-Minute Plays—her writing spans both laughter and heartbreak, always anchored in honesty and heart. Her newest collection, Breaking the Silence: Dramatic Monologues for Young Women, offers bold, powerful roles exploring resilience, betrayal, and transformation.
Her plays are published by Pioneer Drama Service, Eldridge Publishing, ArtAge, Brooklyn Publishers, Applause Books, and more, with productions from New York to Dubai. Her monologues and short plays have earned festival recognition and audience awards, resonating deeply with performers and directors alike.
Laurie is a member of the Dramatists Guild. For more information, visit www.laurie-allen.com
Meet our director and cast
Judy Simpson Cook (Director) is an actor, director, producer and award-winning playwright whose work has been produced by theatres across the country. She is a member of The Dramatists Guild. In 2003, she was named an NC Playwriting Fellow by the NC Arts Council. Her most recent works are The View from the Porch, Running on Empty, and Old Enough to Know Better. Directing credits include When You Comin’ Back, Red Ryder, The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds, Aurelia Women’s League Flower and Garden Show Gala Planning Committee and its partner play, After a Fashion, and, of course, many Storefront Theatre productions.
As an actor, she has appeared in numerous stage productions as well as television and films such as American Gothic and Brainstorm.
Sharrin Edwards (Rosie) has performed with Storefront many times and loves working with Judy. Originally from NY, she lived in Charlotte for 30 years and currently lives in Rock Hill, SC. With more than 40 years in the industry, she now enjoys retired life traveling with her friends. She originated the role of Lou Walters in Judy Simpson Cook’s 1963. Sharrin has worked in numerous films, commercials and soaps including As the World Turns for seven years. She has also been on air at WFAE and WDAV.
Pat Heiss (Sue) is pleased to return to The Storefront Theatre stage where it’s always fun to perform for its appreciative audiences. She has been part of the Charlotte and regional theatre scene for years, and recently performed in Shakespeare in Love at CPCC, Sister Act at Matthews Playhouse, and in Bob’s Your Elf at Storefront. She has been the Board President at Theatre Charlotte, and has received numerous awards for her theatrical appearances and contributions to the arts.
Suzanne Nystrom (Jo Beth) is so excited to appear in her first Storefront Theatre production and second Judy Simpson Cook production. Suzanne appeared in Wilmington’s Thalian Association’s production of Judy’s original play, Nuptials. She has appeared locally in several Union County Playmakers productions: Maude in Not Now Darling, Elvira in Blithe Spirit and Maude in Four Old Broads and Communicating Doors with Waxhaw Community Theatre. It’s exciting to be involved with another local theatre group and reconnect with Judy.
Stephen Ware (Herman) old actor guy still at it. 200+ theatre roles. Some film and TV work with several Oscar winners. And voice-over work, so he doesn't have to memorize too many words at his age. Just one reason he loves Judy's STOREFRONT THEATRE!
www.stephenwareactor.com — If you have insomnia.
Lisa Ulanow (Red) is very happy to be making her debut appearance with Storefront Theatre. A native of Washington, DC, Lisa moved to Charlotte seven years ago. Since then, she has been active in the Charlotte area theater community, both onstage and off. She has appeared at Matthews Playhouse, Old Courthouse Theatre, QC Concerts, Union County Playmakers (Four Old Broads), Waxhaw Community Theatre (Death by Dessert), Jewish Community Center (The Wizard of Oz), and most recently as the Duenna in Free Reign Theatre's production of Cyrano de Bergerac. Lisa enjoys reading, socializing with friends and family, macrame and mahjongg. Lisa would like to thank Judy Simpson Cook and The Storefront Theatre for this opportunity,
and her husband, Dave, for his endless patience and support.
After being active as an actor and director in community theater for many years, Eleanor Wixson (Millie)
read the role of Dorothy in Tweaks with The Storefront Theatre and was hooked on reader's theater. Favorite performance readings include The Waverly Gallery, Trip to Bountiful, Foxfire, Retrieving the Lamb, and
Bob's Your Elf. Because of the joy she experienced as a reader and as an audience member at Storefront, she began directing (and sometimes performing) reader's theater in Gastonia. She is thankful for the direction, writing, inspiration and friendship of Ron and Judy Simpson Cook with The Storefront Theatre.
Shon Wilson (Narrator) is a professional film, TV, and theatre actor, as well as a ballet dancer and choreographer. Her favorite theatre roles include Lady MacBeth with the NC Shakespeare Festival, Helena in Epic Arts Repertory Theatre’s Midsummer Night’s Musical, and Vixen in The Eight Reindeer Monologues at Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte. In 2023, during her time in Los Angeles, Shon had the honor of two feature films premiering on the same night – one on each coast! Summer of Violence, in which she had a lead role opened in L.A. while the film It’s Not About You screened at the 168 Film Festival in Atlanta, giving her a Best Actress nomination for her performance as the star of the film. Shon is honored to be back at Storefront and so so so so happy to be home!