The stage is set and the cast has been chosen for the Greenville Community Theatre’s first upcoming production, “Crimes of the Heart.”

“Crimes of the Heart” centers on the lives of three sisters, Lenny, Meg and Babe McGrath, who reunite at their grandfather’s Mississippi home after one of the sisters has shot her abusive husband.

According to director Mollie Waters, it is also a production that features Southern family dysfunction at its best.

“Almost all Southern families are good at the core, but they have their quirks,” Waters said.

“The MaGrath sisters just seem to have more than their fair share of problems.  Brought back together in a time of crisis, the three MaGrath sisters show how tragedy brings out the best and worst in families.”

Mallory Schofield, Irina Seale and Jessica Bell will be portraying the three MaGrath sisters, Lenny, Meg and Babe, respectively.

The two male roles are TJ Garrard as Doc Porter and David Cadell as Barnette Lloyd.

Director Mollie Waters said that although the attendance numbers weren’t as high as she’d hoped they would be, even the audition process itself turned out to be an enlightening experience for everyone involved, including (and especially) Waters herself.

“A director always wants a huge turnout, and while I would have loved to have had 30 or 40 people audition, we had enough there to make casting difficult,” Waters said.

“I was very surprised with some of the auditions because several of the people who tried out for a part were folks I have known for years, but I had no idea they even had an interest in performing.  Everyone who auditioned did a great job.”

They did so great a job, in fact, that Waters had difficulty in deciding whom to cast.

The decision to choose “Crimes of the Heart,” a play that focuses on a relatively small and personal cast, was not an accidental one.

The small group of core performers was another means for Waters to avoid getting in over her head as a first-time director, although this year’s production could effectively serve as a stepping stone for a bigger cast next year.

Preparation for opening night is well underway, having already completed two full rehearsals.

Moreover, the chemistry that Waters has been looking for among performers is improving all the time.

“I did see a lot of chemistry during auditions, but now that we have had a few rehearsals, I see even more,” Waters said.

“I think this group will play well off of each other, and it is fun watching them develop as performers.”

Curtains will open for “Crimes of the Heart” on August 16 and 17 at the Ritz at 7 p.m.

Visit and like the Greenville Community Theater Facebook page for the most up-to-date information on upcoming productions, and also for an opportunity to win tickets and other prizes.