Holiday Inn hosting dinner show

The Holiday Inn Select’s first dinner show, set for 7 p.m. Friday, is “Still Groovin,’” a play written by frequent Black Theatre Ensemble collaborator Jennifer Petticolas, who is also directing and acting in the production.

Petticolas says she was inspired to write it while she was working on a production of “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Not Enuf” at William Campbell High School.

“During that play, there was a discussion of women going through menopause,” she says.

So when Holiday Inn General Manager Tony Camm approached her about writing a dinner show, she decided to explore the idea.

“It’s a conversation (among) five women who are going through menopause,” Petticolas says. “There are a lot of humorous moments, when we’re talking about hot flashes. But there are serious moments.

“These were stories that have been told (to me). This gave me the opportunity to put them all together.”

The title comes from the idea that women are beautiful at any age.

“You try to take care of yourself, and you’re still groovin’. You’re still moving forward,” she says.

“At 61 years old, I feel like I have a lot of growing up to do. I’m about to retire, and I’ve got a lot of life left in me.”

Doors open at 6 p.m. for dinner, and the one-hour show starts at 7 p.m. It will be followed by a performance from a new singing group called The Divas.

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at http://www.LynchburgTickets.com.