"The Women" at Old Academy Players
by Robert Banskter
If you’re anything like me, you love the tea. Drinking the tea, Spilling the tea, and Living your Tea. If you don’t know what I mean by “Tea” it is queer lingo for the truth. But when the Tea is steeped in malice and conceit, it goes by the name Gossip. “The Women” by Claire Boothe Luce is a satirical commentary on New York Social Life in the 1930s. It is such an enamoring story and has lessons and comments that are still so prevalent in today’s world.
“The Women” follows a group of mostly Married Socialites, Sylvia Fowler, Nancy Blake, Peggy Day, Edith Potter, and Mary Haines. The story follows them as they Navigate fake friendships, infidelity, and divorce. The story mostly takes place in New York but does travel briefly to Reno, Nevada all in the late 1930s. The story serves as a commentary of Socialites and how you can never truly trust anyone. It also comments about how Nobody is above gossip despite how much they try.
We start at Mary Haines house seeing Nancy (Played by Sonya Aiko Hearn), Sylvia (Played by Corynn Smith), a very pregnant Edith (Played by Daria Hussenzadeh), and Peggy (Played by Kelci Schierf) playing a game of Bridge While Mary (Played by Nicole Gerenyi) the Hostess is Upstairs with a sales girl brought over by Sylvia. We then travel to the Salon where we meet the Countess (Played by Linda Palmarozza) as she brags to the salon employees about husband number four. Also introduced with The Countess are Crystal Allen (Played by Chloe Richter) and Mary’s mother (Played by Kimberly Mess). As well as Jane the Maid (Played by Sally Lomanno) and the cook (Played By Linda Palmarozza).
The cast of “The Women” were astronomically good, I was enamoured and captivated the entire time. Normally, I try to take some notes about the show and the actors as I watch the show. But I was unable to look away from the stage because each and every performer was so good. So I am going to give the best feedback I can with just my memory.
Starting with Chloe Richter, Richer was a solid choice. She not only fit the role of Crystal well but she was giving me all the energy I needed from her. Her Chemistry with Gerenyi as threats to the others' marriage was superb. Her interaction with Marie Slaven, as Little Mary was ICONIC, was giving Elaine Hendrix from her role as Meredith Blake from the Parent Trap Vibes.
Next up is Sonya Aiko Hearn, Aiko Hearn was such a delight to see. The role of Nancy is not seen often in the show. She is there right at the beginning and she is there again right at the end. Aiko Hearn made sure to capitalize on every moment she could. She nailed the Jaded artist angle of her character and masterfully softened Nancy’s edges when needed to.
Moving on to Daria Husseinzadeh. Husseinzadeh had me cracking up a lot. She had breathed breath into Edith and her other roles. I wanted her to have more time on stage. Kelci Schlierf as Peggy was honestly perfect. Peggy is a character that started off as comedic relief and then ended up getting serious. Schlief gave everything she had to give for every scene she was in
Linda Palmarozza was exquisite as the Countess. Her performance was to die for. Her inflection as the Countess was phenomenal and it elevated the role to be funnier than written. Paige Noelle made Miriam feel like a true New Jerseyan that transplanted herself into New York Social High Life. Noelle’s Characterization was spot on and her Cat fight with Smith was amazing. I would be Remissed if I did not mention Lisa Formica, She was one of the performers that had me cracking up. There was one point in act two as her character was preparing for the dinner party that Mary was hosting in Reno where she was singing a song as she worked. During the song she had looked me in the eye and made the “I am watching you” gesture, not once but twice. Which sent myself and my friend who came with me reeling with laughter.
Nicole Gerenyi was a privilege to see on stage. She had so many levels to her characterization of Mary that it was masterful. Gerenyi truly projected Mary's feelings and emotions throughout the show. When Mary went from being hunted to becoming the hunter I was quite literally on the edge of my seat. Gerenyi’s performance as Mary moved me so much and had me so invested. This is a very long show and Gerenyi made me want more. If Netflix wants to make another limited series about New York Socialites, Please Please Please do the Women and Cast Gerenyi as Mary again.
Next up is Corynn Smith. Smith as Sylvia was simply divine. The moment she started talking I was enthralled. She commanded the scenes that she was in and had me waiting for her next scene. Her Chemistry with Mary was everything I needed it to be. Her performance of Sylvia reminded me of Nellie from Little house on the Prairie.
The Ensemble of “The Women” were Sally Lomanno, Dale Mezzacappa, Ava Callista, Palak Shahani, Michelle Slaven, Anna Kaminetz Marie Slaven and Jiva Shahani . It is worth mentioning that Slavens and Shahanis are split roles for Debutante (Michelle/Palak) and Little Mary (Jiva/Marie) The performance I was at had the Slavens performing. During one of the final scenes it had various pairs of ensemble members walking across stage gossiping. Michelle the elder of the pair dressed as a younger Debutante while Marie the younger of the pair was dressed as her mother and was scolding her for being a teenager and doing teenager things. It was very reminiscent of Lorelei and Rory from the Gilmore Girls. The Ensemble did an exceptional job with this show. They have an amazing job of carrying the satirical message that Boothe was trying to convey with the show and it would not have been the same with out them,
The design of the set was the work of Sarah Labov, Kim Hess, Clara Childs and Loretta Lucy Miller. The set was very versatile, the walls were the backbone of the set and the furniture was used to transition from scene to scene in addition to the actresses establishing where they were at the top of the scenes. The set was so tuned into the period of the show. With the rest of the theater being as historic as it was, I felt as if I had time traveled to the 1930s and was a fly on the wall.
The costume design was done by Helga Kress and Jane Jennings and they were OPULENT. The costumes truly set the characters up for success for portraying their roles. Especially Smith as Sylvia. It is two days later and I am still thinking about how beautiful the majority of those dresses were on the entire cast. I cannot say enough precisely how much I loved how well done the costuming was.
I know I ate the entire show up, listening to the audience around me I can confidently say that they were eating the show up as well. The audience was just as engaged as I was between the lot of us because it was an unjustly small audience. There was no joke that was not met with a laugh. As I mentioned earlier this play is a long play. It is about 3 hours long (Rounding Down). The audience interaction did not dawdle, it did not falter; they were engaged the entire performance.
I would be remiss if I didn't mention how much history the Old Academy Players theater has. It had not one but two actors grace their stage and become professional stars and actors. Robert Prosky, most known for his work in movies like Miracle on 34th street, Mrs. Doubtfire, and The Great Outdoors. They also had the Late Princess of Morocco get her start on their stage. That’s right I am talking about the legend Grace Kelly.
Loretta Lucy Miller put together an amazing cast and has set an outrageously high bar for me to compare this production against others. I tried to watch the movie version of “The Women” starring Joan Crawford. I couldn’t get through it because I had such an amazing time watching the Old Academy Players production. The Cast and Crew of “The Women” at the Old Academy Players need to be incredibly proud of themselves. You all did a phenomenal job. "The Women" runs until October 4th, be sure to get your tickets here https://oldacademyplayers.org/shows/the-women/
