ALLEY THEATER'S PARODY OF EXPLOITATION FILMS DOES NOT DISAPPOINT
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| Laura Ellis and Dana Hope in Women Behind Bars. Photo courtesy of Gary Quick Photography. |
Women Behind Bars
By Tom Eyen
Directed by Kathi E. B. Ellis
Reviewed by Craig Nolan Highley
Entire contents copyright © 2011 Craig Nolan Highley. All rights reserved.
I had never heard of the play Women Behind Bars before I attended the opening night performance of the Alley Theater’s current production, and therefore had no preconceived expectations. I did not come away disappointed, as I enjoyed the show despite a few minor quibbles with the performances.
The play (by Dreamgirls librettist/lyricist Tom Eyen) was originally staged in 1975 off-Broadway at the Astor Place Theater. It didn’t take off however until a year later when it was staged at the Truck and Warehouse Theater starring hefty drag performer (and John Waters favorite) Divine. In fact, Divine was such a hit in the show that she and Eyen collaborated in 1978 on a sequel play The Neon Woman in San Francisco.
A subtle-as-a-heart-attack parody of the women-in-prison genre of exploitation films produced throughout the fifties, sixties, and seventies (specifically the type produced by such moguls as Roger Corman and Russ Meyer), the play chronicles seven tragic years of an innocent woman behind bars.
Poor Mary (Dana Hope) was framed by her boyfriend for armed robbery and remanded to a women’s institution in Greenwich Village. She is surrounded by a colorful group of inmates, who rape her with a broom handle on her first night. She is also subject to abuse by the brutal lesbian matron (J. P. Lebangood) and a security guard (a very on-top-of-her-game Jamie Lentz, who also doubles convincingly as every male character in the story).
Hope is very well suited to her leading role, convincingly starting out as the wide-eyed, pouting innocent who transforms gradually into the jaded, bitter ex-convict by the end. Other memorable performances include Kristy Calman as a Betty Boop-ish prostitute, Lynne McReynolds Chenault as Guadalupe the crazed Latina, Tiffany Smith as the Blanche DuBois-esque southern Belle, and Laura Ellis as the completely insane Ada, victim of too many lobotomies.
My one complaint with the production is that the over-the-top nature of the script calls for a level of camp in the performances that, apart from a couple of the actresses, isn’t quite achieved here. Paired with a few instances of line trouble by one or two of the performers, though, and this may have just been a case of opening night nerves.
Scott Davis’s set is very evocative of a women’s prison, including matron’s quarters, common room, and conference area. But there is cheapness to its overall look, which was probably intentional. It strongly reminded me of the wobbly sets you might have seen in an old Ed Wood movie, not a bad thing in this type of a show.
Eyen’s script wasn’t particularly to my taste, but I did chuckle more than a few times. Other audience members around me seemed to enjoy it more, so I really think your appreciation will depend on your taste for this kind of material.
Starring Wanda Butler, Kristy Calman, Lynne McReynolds Chenault, Laura Ellis, Dana Hope, Jamie Lentz, J.P. Lebangood, Sandy Neuman, April Singer, and Tiffany Smith.
Women Behind Bars
February 25, 26, March 4, 5, 11, 12, 2011.
Tickets, Advance: $16/15 Student, Day of show: $18/$16 student, Group (10+): $12
Tickets available online or at the door.
MATURE AUDIENCES – Content Warning-Disturbing Issues-Strong Language
Doors open at 7:00, all shows start at 8:00
The Alley Theater
1205 East Washington Street
Louisville KY 40206
thealleytheater.org