Proper now on the Actors Temple Theatre, 339 West forty seventh Road is the New York premier of Sandra Tsing Loh’s Madwomen of the West. The present in a manner jogged my memory of the 1996 play Love, Loss, and What I Wore, the place celebrities joined on stage. Right here you’ve gotten Caroline Aaron, Brooke Adams, Marilu Henner, and Melanie Mayron, all actors who’ve carried out on movie, TV and stage. They’re like lengthy misplaced buddies, they’re so acquainted.
Caroline Aaron, Marilu Henner, Melanie Mayron, and Brooke Adams Picture by Carol Rosegg
The 4 have gathered collectively for Claudia’s (Mayron) birthday. It’s being thrown on the Brentwood dwelling of Jules (Adams) and Marilyn (Aaron) has adorned. Enter the lengthy misplaced Zoey (Henner) and what you assume you understand about these buddies, isn’t what it appears. As a matter of reality, this birthday brunch is about to flip into the brunch from hell. These Child Boomers, are additionally feminists admiring Hilary Clinton and Gloria Steinem, although not at all times on the identical aspect. They break the 4th wall, as they banter forwards and backwards to themselves and to us, the viewers. They confront, encourage, justify and speak about transgender, well being, the horror of Trump and people “pussy hats”, intercourse and a lot extra. Assume “girl-talk” to the max.
They sit on couches, as a backdrop of palm timber, and a lone piñata take middle stage, because of set designer Christian Fleming. The play has no cash, so the manufacturing is naked bones…. so they are saying. All the pieces about this present is tongue and examine and is nicely directed by Thomas Caruso.
Every actor right here shines and in an out of the best way apart, every has items of their actual selves written into the roles they play. Not having seen Aaron on stage earlier than, I used to be impressed by her vocal high quality and humor. Adams brings sophistication and Mayron provides that figuring out, we’re all in the identical tousled boat. Henner will make you need that physique and her intercourse attraction.
These ladies knocked down doorways for the ladies to come back, however I used to be stunned that the one difficulty they missed out on was that ladies are nonetheless not equal on this nation. It takes 1, rely it 1 state to approve this and but performs about feminism go away this important data out.
The present ends with “The Bitch is Again.” they sing in glee. I assume it’s okay once we name ourselves that.
Madwomen of the West: The Actors Temple Theatre, 339 West forty seventh Road via December 31.
The put up Off Broadway Woman Speak Madwomen of the West first appeared on Instances Sq. Chronicles.
Originally posted 2023-12-05 06:07:39.