written by Alan Ball
performed at Theatre Cedar Rapids
April 29th and May 4th
How exactly does one describe a play about five completely different women swearing, drinking, laughing, crying, and looking truly ridiculous in hot pink and leopard print taffeta? I don't know that I can say a single thing that beats what Alan Ball wrote in this fantastic script. The irreverence and honesty on the stage had me gasping in laughter and shock at different moments.
The cast bit right into the meat of these characters and didn't let go. Each woman was a fully formed individual, particularly apparent during their interactions when they weren't speaking. I was lucky enough to see this show twice, leaving me ample opportunity to watch the "background."
As in reality, a group of 5 women aren't all in the conversation at the same time. There are ebbs and flows, leaving the observers at a loss for explicit script direction. One of my favorite little moments in the play wasn't a funny line, but a perfectly character driven action. The straight-laced Christian of the group is cleaning up the multiple condoms strewn on the bench at the foot of the bed by brushing them back into a purse with the train of her dress. As if that weren't enough, any that missed she is picking up one-by-one still with the train of her dress. All this while a conversation is going on above her.
My only criticism of the entire play is the lack of any closure, but really that isn't the point of this show. From the very beginning it is only telling the story of a disparate group on one emotional evening. Each of them is hiding for their own reasons and in that room they can be truly honest. It may not be closure, but it is freedom.
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