The comedy plays through Sept. 22. It focuses on 1942 Jackson, Mississippi. This setting is customized with regional and local shoutouts. The theater director and the leading men are fighting the enemy overseas. Their womenfolk are struggling with nerves, self-confidence issues and latent dreams. Maggie Dalton, the Oberon Play House’s director, plays Maggie Wilkinson. She presses on with Shakespeare’s “Henry V” production even though an all-female cast is required. “I have been helping him for 18 seasons. Wilkinson describes her character as “he’s gone to war and I have been left with the reins.” She is determined to fulfill her husband’s dream to mount “Henry V” in order to rally troops with patriotic glory, and the spirit of victory. It’s the perfect story to tell in World War II,” she says. But it’s a difficult task for her both inside and outside. Wilkinson states that it’s not about her ability. However, she lacks the confidence and respect to direct the play at the beginning. But there is a process. It doesn’t stay this way. That’s a journey that fellow members of the ensemble also take. “Into the Breeches!” is the beginning of a New Stage season titled “A Literary Party.” This includes plays with a literary background (Shakespeare, in this instance) or that are based on books. Although the original play was set in Providence, Rhode Island by George Brant, permission was granted by the playwright to change the location to Jackson. There are mentions of Camp Clinton and Jitney Jungle as well as Camp Shelby, Ole Miss and Bogue Chitto. This story also includes details about what happened on the 1942 home front such as scrap drives and rationing, knitting, and more. Comedy in “Into the Breeches!” is when people from different ages and backgrounds are thrown in new environments — it’s situational, and a little screwball as they forge relationships, and find their way. Francine Thomas Reynolds, New Stage artistic directors and director of this production, said that the theater’s strong cast of female actors makes it an ideal choice to launch the season. It’s like a love note to theater… these Rosie the Riveter type women rallying for the play.” The obstacles range from Ray McFarland, who convinced “a bunch” of girls that it was impossible to do so, to the director who has to deal with several “inept” ladies, one of which is “hilariously incompetent” at the beginning. Jo Ann Robinson, the actress who plays Winifred Snow, laughs. She is the wife of the producer and “a high society lady as ditzy” as she says. She’s sweet and kind-hearted, but she’s also the most clueless. Annie Cleveland plays Grace Richards, a young mother who has a husband serving overseas in the Air Corps and a son at home. She is a quiet, shy person who has no support from her family and can be a bit difficult to encourage. She is very shy and nervous. The first time she meets you, she cannot even string together a sentence in front of others. She finds a confidence and determination in herself by working with the group of women and on this play. .. She allows herself to be good at what she does.
Shakespeare.” She says that “Into the Breeches!” demonstrates this with humor, poignancy, and heart. It’s a beautiful story about theater from different perspectives. Performances take place at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays through Saturdays, and at 2 p.m. on Sundays until Sept. 22. Tickets are $30 adults/$25 students, seniors and military at the theater box office at 1100 Carlisle St., online at www.newstagetheatre.com or by phone, 601-948-3533. For ages 11 and over, “Into the Breeches!” should be seen.