San Diego's Old Globe Theatre Satire Unsheaths Its Claws In "The Women"

When it comes to tough infighting, the tough really get going. Hey, I'm not talking the NFL here, I'm talking the female of the species, you know, women, the gentle sex. Well not in The Old Globe's production of Clare Boothe Luce's "bitchy" snarlfest comedy "The Women", directed by new sheriff in town Artistic Director, Darko Tresnjak.

The play written in 1936 by one of America's former Ambassador's was a breakthrough show for its time. Early reviews from the New York papers opined that almost every woman in the audience could identify with at least one character on stage that night at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre. It became a popular guessing game trying to match Luce's Manhattan socialite friends with the onstage characters. And the subject matter of the satire has always held a certain fascination for men, as well. I guess it's our way of peeking into that mysterious and uncharted country known as "the community of women" - without being accused of misogyny.

Although, the currently released movie version now on screens across the country has been less than a blockbuster hit, the stage production at the Old Globe hits its mark with authority. This revival sparkles and shines under the clever and stylish hand of Darko Tresnjak who guides his talented cast of fifteen women, who portray more than 40 characters, through their paces with flair and split-second comedy timing.

"The Women" focuses on Mary Haines, a nice, but blissfully unaware Manhattan socialite and her circle of female friends who gossip and judge everyone by the number of affairs and dalliances taking place. They're shallow, they're petty, they're catty, they're vindictive, and they're very funny - thanks to some very clever and witty dialogue by playwright Luce. There are no men in the cast. We are merely the objects of those witty barbs.

Kate Baldwin as Mary, is wholesome and smart, but vulnerable to betrayal by her unseen husband Stephen. Baldwin nicely underplays Mary (not an easy task as "plot parts" are usually the toughest and most thankless of roles from the actor's perspective). Heather Ayers plays the deliciously wicked Sylvia, with such zest one keeps hoping someone will give her a smack upside the head. They do.

Kathleen McElfresh as Crystal, the predatory shop girl who steals Mary's husband; Nancy Anderson, as Miriam one of Mary's inner circle of friends; Amanda Naughton as Nancy; Linda Gehringer as Mary's Mother; Amy Hohn as Edith, and Blair Ross who plays no less than six roles and gets to shine as the Nurse explaining the goings on in the Haines' household to Maggie the Cook, offer solid ensemble support.


And then there is Broadway veteran Ruth Williamson as the Countess de Lage. She is worth the price of admission alone. Here's a lady who knows her way around a farcical role. She delivers her Countess portrayal with such gusto and relish, we get the sense she'll be the marrying kind 'til she gets it right and that could take quite some time. "Ah, L'amour, L'amour!"

The icing on this fast paced comedy cake, from a visual point of view, is the gorgeous and glamourous 1930's costumes created by Anna R. Oliver and the super Art Decco set designed by David P. Gondon. Those are two key technical elements that allow Tresnjak and his cast the freedom they need to create their magic, and when they're in sync voila!, you have the recipe for one terrific show. "The Women" runs through October 26, 2008. Contact the theatre by going online at http://www.theoldglobe.org/ .