THE BASICS: A comedic rumination on women’s attachment to certain Special Clothes. This O’Connell and Company production plays weekends through June 7th, at the Park School on Harlem Road in Amherst. Roger Paolini directs a cast of five. The show, which is performed without intermission, runs about 90 minutes.
THUMBNAIL SKETCH: Nora and Delia Ephron adapted LOVE, LOSS… from the best-selling book by Ilene Beckerman, amplifying it with material provided by a group of questioned friends. For about an hour and a half, we hear women talk of major life episodes, from blissful to bitter, and of the specific pieces of clothing that are forever connected with them in their memories.
THE PLAY, THE PLAYERS AND THE PRODUCTION: LOVE, LOSS, AND WHAT I WORE is a pretty charming piece, one that will undoubtedly elicit many nods of sympathetic understanding from the women who attend. I will admit that I, a man, have never had the sort of relationship with an article of clothing like those so fondly expounded upon here, but this did not really lessen my enjoyment. It was like a peek into some curious foreign world. Men who bravely venture in will, I think, find this a useful tool in their ongoing struggle to understand women, and the way that they think!
My one really serious reservation is that this show is that it is not really a play. It’s a simple sit-down reading, and was designed that way. The five performers plop themselves down on their chairs and talk, and talk, and talk, until it’s over. Yes, the Gingy (read Ilene) character does have an easelful of pictures to show us, and there is a pretty, well-lit background of clothes for us to gaze upon, but there is no onstage movement. It’s incredibly static. I found myself drifting off a little bit now and then, despite the unquestionable smartness of the writing.
The cast of five is pretty close to ideal. All deliver their lines with gusto, hearts on their sleeves. Melissa Leventhal’s rant over the loss of her Perfect Top was, for me, the highlight. As Gingy, Darleen Pickering Hummert gets to show off her drawing skill at one point, another savorable moment. But, to reiterate, they are all just fine, and work very well as a team. Some of the credit for this undoubtedly goes to director Paolini. Finally, a little call out to Emma Schimminger, who lit the clothing backdrop so nicely.
IN SUM: A charming outing, very well acted, which women will love and enlightened men will also enjoy. Wonderful summertime (well it does feel summerish) fare. Just don’t go expecting to see a PLAY!
Pictured: Cast of O’Connell & Company’s LOVE, LOSS AND WHAT I WORE Sandra Gilliam, Darleen Pickering Hummert, Mary Moebius, Mary Kate O’Connell, Melissa Leventhal. Directed by Roger Paolini.
*HERD OF BUFFALO (Notes on the Rating System)
ONE BUFFALO: This means trouble. A dreadful play, a highly flawed production, or both. Unless there is some really compelling reason for you to attend (i.e. you are the parent of someone who is in it), give this show a wide berth.
TWO BUFFALOS: Passable, but no great shakes. Either the production is pretty far off base, or the play itself is problematic. Unless you are the sort of person who’s happy just going to the theater, you might look around for something else.
THREE BUFFALOS: I still have my issues, but this is a pretty darn good night at the theater. If you don’t go in with huge expectations, you will probably be pleased.
FOUR BUFFALOS: Both the production and the play are of high caliber. If the genre/content are up your alley, I would make a real effort to attend.
FIVE BUFFALOS: Truly superb–a rare rating. Comedies that leave you weak with laughter, dramas that really touch the heart. Provided that this is the kind of show you like, you’d be a fool to miss it!