Calendar Girls @ The Phoenix Theatre (Edmonds)

When Annie’s husband John dies of Leukemia, she and her long-standing best friend Chris resolve to raise money for a new settee in the local hospital waiting room. With varying levels of encouragement, they persuade four friends and fellow members of the Women’s Institute to pose nude with them for an “alternative” calendar. The success of the calendar goes beyond their wildest dreams and they have soon raised the money needed and much more. Although the calendar is a huge success, Chris and Annie’s friendship is put to the test with their new-found fame and Chris is forced to question her real motivation behind doing the calendar.

Tim Firth’s hilarious play is based on the true story of eleven W.I. members who famously posed nude for a calendar to raise money for the Leukemia Research Fund in 1999. Directed by Renée Gilbert.

Tickets ($25) here.