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Easy Women Smoking Loose Cigarettes ~ Signature Theatre

Jordan Wright
March 1, 2020 

SOLD OUT!, read the sign outside the theatre on press night.  That I’m writing this with no chance of you securing tickets might seem fruitless, but just in case someone, anyone, cares to read this review, which is entirely needless, I will forge on.  After all, it is Signature’s 30th anniversary season and that’s something that bears notice.

John Leslie Wolfe (Richard), Shanara Gabrielle (Lee), Susan Rome (Marian), John Austin (Bobby), and Jordan Slattery (Kitty). Photo by Christopher Mueller

As a widely recognized actor on the DC theatre scene, Dani Stoller has been around the theatre long enough to know how it’s done.  However, checking the playbill’s bios, it appears this is her first produced play.  Thankfully, she’s chosen a top-notch local director in Stevie Zimmerman who brings to life a quirky comedy that comes off like a racy TV sit-com.  It’s a little bit new agey, a little bit throwback, with Lee, a young married woman who’s a sex addict; her father Richard and mother Marian (who practices sacred female wisdom) both determined to support her no matter how reckless her behavior; niece Kitty finding her way while unmarried and pregnant; and Bobby a family friend who becomes involved with two of the women.

Susan Rome (Marian) and John Leslie Wolfe (Richard). Photo by Christopher Mueller.

The title alone is suggestive enough to lure theatregoers titillated by the idea of loose women cavorting around onstage, but they won’t find that.  The play is alluring in other ways as it deals with a family teetering on the edge of a total breakdown.  But it’s the determination to heal each other and the terrific comic lines that are the glue holding this piece together.  As Lee’s mother tells her, “Having a child is like your heart walking around outside your body.”

John Austin (Bobby) and Jordan Slattery (Kitty). Photo by Christopher Mueller

A fine ensemble, led impressively by Susan Rome, brings it all home.

With Susan Rome as Marian; John Austin as Bobby; Shanara Gabrielle as Lee; John Leslie Wolfe as Richard; and Jordan Slattery as Kitty.

Directed by Stevie Zimmerman; Scenic Design by Meghan Raham; Lighting Design by Andrew Cissna; Costume Design by Debra Kim Sivigny; Intimacy Coordinator Casey Kaleba.

Through March 29th at Signature Theatre, (Shirlington Village), 4200 Campbell Avenue, Arlington, VA 22206.  For tickets and information call 703 820-9771 or visit www.signature-theatre.org.

Shanara Gabrielle (Lee) and Susan Rome (Marian). Photo by Christopher Mueller

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