The Women, a "modern" old-fashioned comedy of manners is Clare Boothe Luce's second play. It opened on Broadway in 1936 at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre with an all-female cast that included Arlene Francis, Marjorie Main and Doris Day. It is a satire on the idleness of wealthy wives and divorcees. It did not received good reviews from the critics, but the audience loved it. It ran for 657 performances, toured the United States and 18 countries, and was adapted to the screen.
I like to call this show the prequel to "Desperate Housewives." This is at least the 1930's version of the 2005 show and is filled with 20 women in all their assorted roles dealing with life and men problems.
The Womenshows an unflattering picture of womanhood and reveals all the nasty habits, gossiping, backstabbing, disloyalty and sneakiness of women. The plot involves the efforts of a group of women to play their respective roles in an artificial society that consists of vain show, comedy, tragedy, hope and disappointment. I had mixed emotions about this '30's show and I'm sure that Dr. Phil would find it disturbing, too. It sets women's rights and self-esteem back quite a few decades, but maybe a look back is in order to see how far we've come.
Unusual for a play, this show has a huge all-woman cast. The roles for women actors are rare. As every director knows, more good roles are written for men, yet ten times as many women show up for auditions. In fact, the female-dominated shows are few and far between. I think of "Steel Magnolias" and the female version of "The Odd Couple" as two of too few women's shows. This show has so many actresses, however, I got confused at times about who was who...but by the show's end had it pretty much figured out. I think only four leading women would have been a better choice; however, Mrs. Luce is no longer with us and probably wouldn't care for my opinion anyway.
The Theatre Huntsville production highlights the following actresses:
Edith: Tanja Lewis
Lucy: Ronni Kirk
Nancy: Cydney Thomson
Peggy: Gena Wilhite
Crystal: Brandy Owen
Mrs. Morehead: Nancy Callaway
Little Mary: Molly Lynn
Sylvia: Gaylen Pugh
Miriam: Nina Tapanin
Countess: Sherri Ryan
Jane: Liz Mince
Mary: Sarah Brown
2nd Girl, Euphie, Maggie: Kimberly Thompson
1st Hairdresser, Helene, Debutante, 1st Model (Miss Myrtle): Kendra Kizer
2nd Hairdresser, 1st Girl: Alicia Atkins
Instructress, Voice, 2nd woman: Stephanie Hyatt
1st Saleswoman, Girl in Distress: Alison Berger
2nd saleswoman, Miss Fordyce, Dowager: Ronda Lewallen
Pedicurist, 2nd Model, Miss Trimmerback: April Windsor
Miss Tamara, Cigarettes, Olga: Lorrie Thorstad
Miss Watts, Nurse, Sadie, Fitter: Annette Spindle
This show has great actresses playing the lead roles. However, I have to point out a few supporting actresses that I thought delivered superior performances. I absolutely loved the two maids sitting at the kitchen table and gossiping about the family's business. Sorry, I'm not sure of the names of the characters (but it's Photo 16 in the picture gallery). These two made the conversation sound real and not like part of a script.
One of the other performances that I loved was the secretary or "the adding machine" as Mary Haines refers to her. Her demeanor was perfect as she admitted that maybe she was "the office wife" as she noted that "I never cry and I don't whine." The other notable performance was by nine-year old Molly Lynn. She did a great job of portraying her emotions without going over the top. As you watch this production, you'll probably find other performers that you like just as much or better than my favorites.
See The Women, directed by Harry Delugach and assisted by Cam Scales, May 13-14 and 19-21 at 7:30 pm and May 15 and 21 at 2:00 pm at the VBC Playhouse. To purchase tickets or for more information, call (256)-536-0807.
"The Women" Photos
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