Women of a Certain Age

Linda – Steep Theatre 

 

Although the situation is continually improving, it’s no secret that there are many more jobs available for men than for women. And, to make matters even worse, the salary paid to a male is often more than the salary for doing the same job would be for a female. This is particularly true for women of a certain age. As we’re reminded in Penelope Skinner’s new play, a middle age woman who’s managed to successfully balance a marriage, children and a job or a career is a rare breed, especially when that woman is beyond her twenties.

British-born Linda harbors enough quiet rage to light up all of London. However, it’s not until, while still feeling proud of her accomplishments and success with a home, family and career, her well-ordered life begins to crumble. Linda’s powerful position at the Swan Beauty Corporation is on shaky ground. Her latest campaign, aimed at making women, of her own age, look and feel beautiful and important, has been defeated by a younger, prettier new employee. Svelte, smart and charismatic Millennial Amy has sashayed into the company, charming the pants off Dave, the corporation president, with her pretty smile and her new ideas. She intentionally subverts all of Linda’s plans, making the one time wunderkind seem old and out of touch.

To make matters worse, Linda discovers that her handsome husband, Neil, has found sexual excitement with Stevie, a younger female singer he’s been coaching. Add to this Alice, a stepdaughter suffering from depression, who’s dropped out of college and sleeps all day. When she does make an appearance outside her bedroom, Alice dresses in a furry onesie skunk costume. The strongest, most admirable member of the family is 18-year-old Bridget, an aspiring actress, who has discovered, when searching for an audition monologue, that there are far more meatier men’s roles than women’s, especially in Shakespeare. Trying to cope with the unspoken turmoil burning at home, Bridget, despite being young in years, is the one family member who seems to have her act together.

Directed by Robin Witt, this play clearly speaks to women. It’s staged with a slick sophistication and a feminine point of view that makes it topical and full of added substance. Housed with Joe Schermoly’s sparse but high-tech scenic design, the theatre space flows easily between Linda’s kitchen, her daughter’s bedroom and the boardroom and various offices at Swan. Tucked into the corner we also see a tiny space that features Stevie in the recording studio, which also doubles as other locales. The production’s enhanced by Brandon Wardell’s pointed lighting, as well as Thomas Dixon’s superb sound design and original musical score. Izumi Inaba’s well-tailored costumes, particularly for Linda and Amy, are perfection.

The entire cast is very good, led by Kendra Thulin, as Linda. The actress’ energy and personality drives this play, which, at times, feels a little like a sophisticated soap opera. But Ms. Thulin brings a natural, likable charm to her heroine, making her dramatic dilemma feel realistic and sad. Destini Huston is effective as a socially frutrated Alice, as is Peter Moore, in the role of laid-back Neil. Rochelle Therrien, who makes her Steep debut, has wowed audiences by her theatrical work with TimeLine Theatre and the Goodman. As Amy, the sultry, pseudo-innocent villain of the play, Ms. Therrien is terrific. Lucy Carapetyan and Jim Poole, both, like handsome Peter Moore, were recently enjoyed in Steep Theatre’s exciting “Birdland.” Both actors nicely fulfill the roles of Stevie and Dave. Omer Abbas Salem is charming and funny as Luke, a temp at the beauty company who has his finger on the pulse of everything around him.

But the standout of this cast is young Caroline Phillips, as Bridget. Despite her youth, this actress creates the most affecting, powerful character in this play. She’s the sounding board upon whom Linda, Neil and Alice bounce off their feelings. She’s far more mature than the others and, as such, demands the audiences empathy and attention. Although this isn’t her first Chicago production, she’s making her debut at Steep. Hopefully audiences will be enjoying the work of this magnetic young actress in future productions. She’s the real deal.

Penelope Skinner’s two-and-a-half hour drama feels more like a soap opera, and doesn’t really surprise theatergoers with anything new. Its ideas are well worth exploring and the play, although a bit too long, is certainly entertaining. With its fine performances, particularly in the leading female roles, this Midwest premiere is an excellent entertainment for a summer evening.

Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas    

 

Presented July 12-August 18 by Steep Theatre, 1115 West Berwyn Ave., Chicago.

Tickets are available at the box office, by calling 773-649-3186  or by going www.steeptheatre.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.