Gogol’s Satire Highlights How Self-Deception Fuels Greed by Patricia L. Morin Jeffrey Hatcher’s adaptation of Nikolai Gogol’s 1836 comedy delights us with satire of small-town tyranny. In a Russian town, a panicked Mayor (versatile Steve Price) finds out from a letter that a Government Inspector will arrive “incognito.” The undercover Inspector will audit how…
Regina Taylor’s Songs Unveil the Glory of Hats by Patricia L. Morin “Crowns” illuminates the resilience of the African American spirit though the magic of hats. Devon LaBelle creates a spiritual ambience with two antique church pews set middle stage. Beside them, colorful, round coat racks display uniquely designed hats. Mother Shaw’s “Hat Queen”…
María Irene Fornés‘ Absurd Comedy Probes Women’s Fears by Patricia L. Morin “Fefu and Her Friends” delicately weaves individual women’s stories into themes to spotlight women’s struggles for gender independence, life, and renewal. All loaded into a 1977, rich, comic absurdist play. Fefu (magnificent Catherine Castellanos) welcomes us to her lavish, 1935 home, where…
Lynn Nottage Extols Sisterhood for Independent Women by Patricia L. Morin In 1905 New York, Esther (dynamic Jeunée Simon), an independent businesswoman and talented seamstress, creates lovely intimate apparel for the Fifth Avenue wealthy. Esther is strong and proud. But other women in the boarding house are married now, and she longs for the…