Feminism is one of those things that people have been leery to find humorous. Really, what's funny about the Civil Rights movement? Something so serious can't be fodder for a comedy...can it?
Female of the Species by Joanna Murray-Smith seems to think that finding the humor in feminism is precisely what this generation should do. Her farce pits extreme viewpoint against extreme viewpoint and lets the men have their say about both sides of the issue as well.
ACT is bringing this British show, based on true events, to the stage until July 18. Directed by Allison Narver, it has a talented comic cast including Renata Friedman as the deranged and disgruntled Molly Rivers, Suzy Hunt as sharp-tongued, hard-hearted feminist writer Margot Mason, Paul Morgan Stetler as the evolved son-in-law Brian, and Morgan Rowe as Tess, the disappointing daughter who chose home making over revolutionizing society.
In general, the play brings great laughs and a few moments of head-tilting thoughts, but needed more specificity in direction. The last twenty minutes of the show dissolve into cliches of both dialogue and acting. Even the knowledge that this is farce can't quite save some overly convenient moments and character choices that are far too sudden to make sense.
Suzy Hunt carries a classical approach to the stage, which suits her character well, but does not endear her too terribly much to the audience. She is so aloof that it is hard to connect with what she finds important or meaningful. Renata Friedman, on the other hand, brings a raw talent that somehow makes the ridiculous actions of her character plausible. The show is stolen by Paul Morgan Stetler, who seems as at home with farce as his character is with floral aprons and food preparation. The laugh-out-loud moments are dominated by his perfect timing and subtle, but precise physical humor.
For tickets, visit the website. Pay-what-you-will performance is July 1 at 2:00 PM.
Comments