Slapsticking Bloomers hit stage

The wild women of Bloomers are confident that their show is guaranteed to tickle your Humorous Maximus. Bloomers, the all-female comedy theater group, is breaking out the one-liners and the twisted idea and facial expression mold for its 15th annual spring production Humorous Maximus, which opens tonight. As is traditional for Bloomers, the show is an eclectic mix of dancing, music and old-fashioned slapstick. "It's making decisions about what you should do after you graduate," said Lesley Wolff, a College senior and the director of the show. "It's a really fun time. It's laid back and there are a lot of numbers this year that everyone will enjoy." Deb Brown, a College senior and the producer/co-chairwoman of Bloomers, said that the group took "more of an open-minded approach this year." "There's a lot of fantasy stuff: dancing food . . . genies," Brown said. "A lot of creativity went into this." Jen Finkel, a College sophomore and first-time Bloomer, said she thoroughly enjoyed her contribution to the writing aspect of the production. "It's really exciting to have your stuff on stage," said Finkel. "It's like, 'Oh . . . I'm funny!' " College freshman Lizzie Prostic has been working with the cast as Bloomers' first choreographer. She said that the women have been very receptive to the work she has done with them. "They were so excited about it because they did things that they hadn't done before," she said. Kysha Harris, a Wharton senior and new Bloomers member, expressed equal enthusiasm. "The one thing that I really like about Bloomers is that I've been on this campus for four years and it's the only year that I've found a group of women that are as crazy as I am," said Harris. "We bitch and bond." Humorous Maximus opens tonight, in the Houston Hall Auditorium, and will continue the run Friday and twice on Saturday. Tickets are on sale on Locust Walk or at the door.