Ready to laugh for a great cause? Mt. Paran Players of Mt. Paran Church in Atlanta return to the stage in “Dixie Swim Club” at the Earl Smith Strand Theatre on the Marietta Square. The heartwarming production running Aug. 12 to 14 will benefit MUST Ministries.

“Dixie Swim Club” examines the friendship of five strong Southern women who met on a college swim team and reunite each year at a cottage on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

“I call it the ‘Steel Magnolias’ on the beach,” director David Brayfield said.

The comedy by playwrights Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope and Jamie Wooten is one to be enjoyed by all.

“Just about every Southern woman could relate to it,” Brayfield said. “Just about every Southern man could sit back and laugh himself silly over the dialogue and the plot.”

Spanning 33 years, the play examines how people lean on each other, according to Brayfield. He said, “At the end, that’s what carries us through life.”

For actors Kathy Beach (Vernadette), Sherri DeLoach (Sheree), Angie Dillard Brayfield (Dinah), Vanessa Carey (Lexie) and Stephanie Jeffords (Jeri Neal), helping others in a time of need is not just dialogue in a play. All proceeds from this production benefit MUST Ministries, a faith-based organization that serves people in need in Cobb and Cherokee counties.

“None of the actors benefit from the production,” said Brayfield, noting that “Dixie Swim Club” is the third production by Mt. Paran Players benefiting MUST. The group became involved after the Rev. Greg Clark, Minister of Missions of Mt. Paran Church (2055 Mt. Paran Road, Atlanta) made them aware of the mission of MUST.

“(The actors) have a love for theater but even a bigger heart for helping people,” added Brayfield. “All parties involved realized (the event) could be a powerful way to help MUST.”

Tickets are $23 per person and $20 per person in a group. For more information, visit www.earlsmithstrand.org or call (770) 293-0080.