BY CHRISTY MARSTERS

NovaNewsNow.com

The Women of Wolfville will present a collaborative creation entitled Psst: Wanna Know a Secret? Feb. 21-23 at Festival Theatre in Wolfville.

Co-director Emily Levy-Purdy says this production comes straight from the creative spirit of women and captures the group dynamic really well. “I think it’s amazing,” she said. Cast members range in age from five to 92.

This year’s show is a little less weighty as compared to other years, with topics such as beauty secrets, secret lovers, secret agents and secret marriage tips being explored, Levy-Purdy said. “I’d like to hear some belly laughs from the crowd this year.”

Proceeds from the 2008 show will support Chrysalis House in Kentville along with other charities that help women and children in Argentina, Kenya, Malawi, Liberia and Uganda. The Women of Wolfville have raised $65,000 for different charities since 2001.

Lawyer Melanie Perry travels from Dartmouth to perform with the Women of Wolfville.

“This is an awesome group with a great dynamic, and is set up for good causes,” Perry said. “However, I choose to travel and be part of the group for selfish reasons too.

“It’s a really emotional thing for me,” Perry said. “I love being a part of these women. People should really come to the show and experience the group for themselves.”

Performer Zanne Handley says everybody within the group is open and supportive.

“I was amazed by how encouraging everyone appeared at tryouts for the plays,” Handley said. “There’s no sense of competition because everybody gets to play something.”

Caroline Burton, 12, has worked with the Women of Wolfville for five years. She began acting alongside her mother Thea, who has been with the group for six years.

The shows are different every time but it’s always nice to spend time with the older women, Caroline said. “However, when you’re in a group of a lot of women you have to be outgoing. It’s nice though because you get to rehearse and do fun things. “

Thea says being involved in theatre is great to go through with her daughter.

“It’s nice because when we’re in the show we relate differently,” she said. “More like peers instead of like mother and daughter. She can take criticism and listen to it.”

Whenever thoughts are communicated honestly in theatre they will connect better, Thea noted. “ I’m always amazed by how these plays come together every year in the end. The messages are strong because the performances are honest and real.”

Tickets are $12 for student or seniors and $15 for adults. They’re available in Wolfville at EOS and Saucy Strides, or in Kentville at Phinney’s.

For more information on WOW, contact Wendy Elliott at 542-7203. For tickets to this year’s show, call Lori Noseworthy at 681-2603.