Marietta, Georgia and the city's Theatre on the Square are proud and supportive of hometown boy Alan Ball (2000 Academy Award winner, "American Beauty"). They extended the screenwriter's popular comedy, Five Women Wearing the Same Dress, through March 4 on the mainstage. Performances began Jan. 17 for a run originally set through Feb. 25. Elizabeth Spicer directs.

The Five Women are all wearing the same dress because they are bridesmaids at the Tennessee wedding of a friend. As Frances, Meredith, Trisha, Georgeanne and Mindy retreat from the reception to an upstairs bedroom, they reveal how different and how similar they all are. Complicating their lives is the appearance of the usher Tripp, who has turned all their heads at some time or another.

A television writer and producer, Ball's work includes the sitcoms "Cybill," "Grace Under Fire" and "Oh, Grow Up." His plays are Cherokee County, Frostproof, The Two Mrs. Trumps, Power Lunch, Bachelor Holiday and The Amazing Adventures Of Tense Guy.

Starring as the Five Women are Rebekah Baty, Shannon Eubanks, Elizabeth Diane Wells, Monica Williamson and Jen Apgar with Rob Beams as Tripp.

Tickets are $30-$17. The Theatre in the Square is located at 11 Whitlock Avenue. For reservations, call (770) 422-8369. Theatre in the Square is on the web at http://www.theatreinthesquare.com. Upcoming shows at the venue include A Streetcar Named Desire in March and bash [sic] in April.

— By Christine Ehren