Loyola’s Department of Drama and Speech will take the stage for the first time this spring in a production of Joan Holden’s comedy “Nickel and Dimed,” based on Barbara Ehrenreich’s best-selling personal account of minimum wage America.

The play has enjoyed recent popularity in regional theaters; according to the Theatre Communications Group annual survey, it ranked as the seventh most produced play during the 2004-05 season. The show, directed by Anne James, features guest actor Sean Patterson, the recipient of the Big Easy Best Actor Award in 2002. Student performers include drama senior Kerry Cahill as Barbara, drama/communications junior Holly Cassard, drama/communications freshman Jessica Berger, drama sophomore Monica Harris and drama freshman Meghan Collins in supporting roles.

Show times are Feb. 18-19 and March 2-5 at 8 p.m. and a matin̩e on Feb. 20 at 2 p.m. Admission is $7 for students and seniors and $12 for the general public. РAndre Breaux