02/07/2026
A lovely review posted by Anna LeBourdais
“Opening night adventures… ❄️đźŽ
Last night’s drive to Port Perry for The Sweet Delilah Swim Club was a full-on white-knuckle affair — snow, blowing snow, and that familiar internal monologue of “this had better be worth it.”
(It was.)
Once I arrived, I was greeted by familiar faces, warm smiles, and… an almost empty house.
Fifteen of us. That was it.
So — where were you?
And yet… how special it was to be among the few who made the journey. Opening night became something intimate, generous, and unexpectedly magical.
The play itself was both hilarious and tender, the kind of storytelling that sneaks up on you with heart just as you’re laughing. The ensemble of five actors worked beautifully together — generous, grounded, and completely in sync. The set was fabulous, instantly transporting us from snowy Port Perry to a sun-washed beachside cottage on North Carolina’s Outer Banks, where these women return year after year. And though this wasn’t a musical, the underscoring (incidental background music) was so uplifting I honestly wanted to get up and dance.
One of the unexpected joys of a small audience? Conversation. At intermission, I found myself deep in an engaging chat with two other patrons — something that doesn’t always happen when you’re attending solo in a packed house.
The volunteer front-of-house staff were welcoming and cheerful, and a special shout-out to the backstage crew member who appeared as “room service” during every set change — fully committed, fully in character, and absolutely delightful (credited or not, she deserves the applause).
All in all, a wonderful production — heartfelt, funny, and very much worth braving the weather for.
There are only a limited number of performances left, so don’t wait.
You can find details on The Trouper under What’s Onstage Now — and this Editor of Durham’s Community Stage wholeheartedly recommends you go.
Sometimes the smallest audiences get the biggest gifts. 💙”