Coastal Carolina University Theater will present two comedies that lampoon Southern culture, "Sordid Lives" and "The Great American Trailer Park Musical," on alternating days beginning Wednesday, Nov. 8. Both plays will be held in the Black Box Theater in the Edwards College of Humanities building. Tickets are $12 general adult admission and $8 for alumni and senior citizens and may be purchased at Wheelwright Box Office. Both plays have adult themes and are not recommended for children.

Winner of 14 Drama-Logue awards, "Sordid Lives" by Del Shores is a comedy of errors about a dysfunctional family that has gathered for the mother's funeral in Winters, Texas. The family unit includes two daughters (one loose and one loony) and a gay son who is a Tammy Wynette impersonator. "Sordid Lives" was nominated for more than 30 awards during its run in Los Angeles.

Robin Russell, associate professor of theater is the director. Cast members include Coastal students Abby Brown, Trey Gerrald, Margaret Graham, Christen Eason, Krystin Mementowski, Paige Kasten, Matt James, Kirk Johnson, Dion Beard, Alex Capps, Jason Wiggins, Dominic Sellers and Jessica Leach.

"Sordid Lives" will be performed at 7:30 p.m. on the following dates: Wednesday, Nov. 8; Friday, Nov. 10; Sunday Nov. 12; Wednesday, Nov. 15; Friday, Nov. 17; and Sunday, Nov. 19. There will also be a 10 p.m. performance on Saturday, Nov. 11. (An earlier matinee scheduled for 3 p.m. has been canceled.)

"The Great American Trailer Park Musical," is a musical comedy set in a North Florida trailer park called Armadillo Acres. Jeannie, who suffers from agoraphobia and a bad perm, finds that her marriage is in jeopardy when her husband Norbert takes up with an exotic dancer named Pippi who moves into the trailer across the yard. The 2005 off-Broadway hit, by Betsy Kelso and David Nehl, will be directed by assistant professor of theater Greg London.

Cast members include CCU students Christen Eason, Brandy Ward, Jessica Leach, Shannon Cook, Bryan Robinson, Abigail Brown abd Joe Rosko.

This play will be performed on the following dates at 7:30 p.m.: Thursday, Nov. 9; Saturday, Nov. 11; Tuesday, Nov. 14; and Thursday, Nov. 16. Matinee performances are scheduled for 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 19 and Sunday, Nov. 12 at 3 p.m.

The Black Box Theater is located in the Thomas W. and Robin W. Edwards College of Humanities and Fine Arts. For ticket information, call the Wheelwright Box Office at 349-2502.