Packing Up Polly Opens Arts Center Theatre Season

Packing Up Polly is a Southern comedy by Georgia-based Leslie Kimbell, playwright of the hugely successful “Four Old Broads” series and “The Miss Magnolia Senior Citizen Beauty Pageant.” This season’s opening play at the Arts Center Theatre is directed by Hyla Crane, Executive Director of the Marco Island Center for the Arts and runs November 5-22, 2026.

Packing Up Polly is a play that explores deep layers of female friendship with four women who were high school friends and co-cheerleaders who come together to pack up a hoarded house of former 1970s gospel singer, Polly Porter, mother of Caroline (Jean Rowles). Polly was a known mega hoarder, and Caroline’s useless siblings are “missing in action,” but her high school friends showed up unannounced to help! As the four women tackle the “unhoarding” of Polly Porter, their characters become very real people trying to cope the best way they know how.

Playwright Leslie Kimbell shared some of her thoughts about the play. “The play draws a thematic connection between holding onto physical objects and holding onto the past. For some, “things” can be a stand-in for memory, identity, safety, or love. For some, letting go of “things” can feel like throwing away your memories or throwing away the love of the giver.”

Packing Up Polly is about grief and humor masterfully blended and balanced by the reunion of high school friends. Momma Polly Porter’s parting words to her daughter Caroline and the girls says it all. “I want you all to make your dreams come true …. and it’s never too late to live happily ever after.”

Meet the four characters:

Caroline Porter (Jean Rowles). Polly’s daughter, former head cheerleader, homecoming queen, Prom Queen.

Lizzy (Cindy Sepich). Caroline’s high school best “frenemy.” Owner of the Miss Georgia Belle pageantry system.

Donna Jo (Betsy Greenblatt). Drama queen, local theatre diva, and one-time Off-Off Broadway actor.

Becca (Carolyn Davis). Frumpy mother of four...currently expecting number five any minute.

The production of Packing up Polly runs November 5-22 at the Arts Center Theater located at Marco Town Center, next to Marco Brewery. Look for the red door. Tickets are now on sale! Call the box office at 239-784-1186 or purchase tickets online at: marcoislandart.org.arts-center-theatre.