The Bee Cave Bee

Susan Fischer McWillams, a retired Cedar Park drama teacher, will direct the world premier of her play, Fifty Shades of Greying, in Lakeway this month.  This original play is Susan’s first work as a playwright.

Local residents may remember Susan as a drama teacher in the Leander ISD until she retired in 2013.  She is a seasoned actor, has choreographed, directed and acted in numerous plays and musicals spanning some 45 years.  More recently she has performed in Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and Jesus Christ Super Star at the Palace Theatre in Georgetown and as the crazy Aunt Martha in Getting Sara Married and the alcoholic cougar socialite, Pamela, in Fox on the Fairway at the Way Off Broadway Community Theatre.

Fifty Shades of Greying was taken from stories about Susan’s grandmother, elderly aunts and friends, as well as her own personal experiences.  This play has us follow five elderly ladies in a retirement home as they reminisce about their previous and current love lives.

The comedy brings together a cast of local and very talented actors including Nikki Bora, Linda Myers and BJ (Betty) Ortwein, Jo Rake, Nathan Doughty and Barb Jernigan from the Way Off Broadway Community Players and the Georgetown Palace Theatre.  50 Shades of Greying is written and directed by Susan; she is assisted by the creative Debbie Bishop, a seasoned director with many credits to her name.  This wonderfully talented cast has numerous years of experience ranging from acting on Broadway to National Touring Companies.

Performances of Fifty Shades of Greying are at the TexARTS Kam and James Morris Theatre at 2300 Lohman’s Spur, Suite 160 in Lakeway.  Performance times are:

 Thursday, March 17 at 7:30 pm
 Saturday, March 19 at 2:00 pm
Sunday, March 20 at 2:00 pm
 

Tickets can be purchased for $15 at https://secure.buyplaytix.com/sog/reserve/50_shades_of_greying.html or at the door.  Because of sexual content, the show is recommended for mature audiences over the age of 16.

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