BWW Interviews: Ruth S. McCleskey Talks Boiling Point Players' Production of 5 LESBIANS EATING A QUICHE

It's 1956, at the height of the Red Scare, and the great US of A is as hysterical as a lady on her monthly. Meanwhile, the presiding officers of the Susan B. Anthony Society for the Sisters of Gertrude Stein are calmly having their annual quiche breakfast. But they become girls interrupted when communists strike and drop a bomb. How will the sisters survive?

The Boiling Point Players are staging 5 LESBIANS EATING A QUICHE, so you'll get your answer soon. And, by all accounts, the show will feature smarter, sharper, and wittier writing than the paragraph above. Admittedly, like any good quiche it will be a little cheesy, but so is cult hit ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW, which is similar in tone. The only difference is this play is centered around ladies, lady parts (quiche, get it?) and ladies who love and want to have sex with other ladies. It's refreshing.

Without further ado, take a look at this egg-cellent (Like bacon, eggs and jelly, I am on a roll!) interview with the director of 5 LESBIANS EATING A QUICHE, Ruth S. McCleskey.

Hey Ruth! How are rehearsals going?

The rehearsals are going well. I was very excited about the talent that came out to our auditions.

Are there any challenges in preparing for opening night - exciting or otherwise?

There are two challenges that are taking focus right now: avoiding being campy and experimenting with food. The script is very funny and the first inclination for actors is to try to be a caricature of their role, or act campy. The playwrights specifically warn against this, which has caused us to work diligently to make the characters authentic so that it's the situation that's funny, not the people. (Though at times they are hilarious!)

And food onstage is always a challenge, especially when you have to eat it. Luckily, none of the actors have any dietary restrictions, but we are playing with the sizes of our quiches to determine what is realistic to be eaten in the time allotted.

Obvious question: why the obsession with eggs?

As the character Lulie says "So pure, so perfectly shaped, so delicious." I think many of us associate women with the provider of the egg portion of life, and these women are celebrating themselves through celebrating the egg.

The group name "Susan B. Anthony Society for the Sisters of Gertrude Stein" puts me in the mind of spoofs on feminists (like the bookstore feminists on Portlandia). As a woman-centric company, did you have any reservations about producing a play written by two men poking fun at the culture?

I read it and fell in love with the material before I knew that men wrote it. It delights me that there are men out there writing strong funny women. I think it has to be a joint effort to get women the same variety of characters that are available to men.

Clearly the play has found success. 5 LESBIANS EATING A QUICHE is a cult hit.

I think it's because these are characters we can easily identify with and root for in an insane situation. Women are the central focus, but I don't believe it excludes men from being a part of the chaos too. ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW drew me in because I was able to identify with different characters at different points in my life. I can see how this would do the same.

What drew you to the piece?

I'll admit the title drew me in - the double entendre of 5 LESBIANS EATING A QUICHE! I had to know if it was going to be a raunchy, over-the-top style play or maybe some political statement. Once I started reading, I couldn't stop. The world was so easy to imagine. I could picture a group of close-knit women in these lovely 1950's dresses. (Vern I pictured in a Katharine Hepburn-looking pant suit.)

So if the title drew you to the piece, what drew you into the piece?

The women. Chaos erupts but they keep their cool and maintain their elegance while addressing the situation. It was an end of the world scenario that didn't sink into ugliness because they found beauty to hold onto, themselves and each other.

Who are these women?

These are 5 seemingly stereotypical women of the 50's. Stylish hair, put together outfits, organized and chipper. Their biggest hope is to be the one who made the prized quiche. The characters [Lulie, Wren, Vern, Ginny and Dale] reflect what society hopes women will be and then BAM - a bomb goes off and these ladies prove that some secrets don't change who you are.

Earlier, you said you've been taking care to make sure the characters are authentic. How have you done that?

We are working to make sure the friendship and caring is foremost in the interactions and that the behaviors the actors use foster these ideas. There are a lot of lines in the script that are double entendres, but they can not be played with the women meaning the "sexual" part. They need to be played as truthful. At the heart of this play, these women are best friends and family.

What are the strengths of this piece? What makes it worth seeing?

It has authentic characters, explosions and splatters that put you in the event without putting you on the spot. It's fun with heart. [The characters] are so open. They all accept each other and the choices that their friends make (whether they agree with them). They inspire me to make sure my friends know how much I care and respect them. Any material that gives me impetus to think or feel something like that is material I love.

How have you managed to put the audience members in the event without putting them on the spot?

The audience are "members of the Susan B. Anthony Society for the Sisters of Gertrude Stein." The officers [characters in the play] acknowledge them and speak to them like they are at the meeting, but the audience doesn't have to worry that they have any duties other than watching the show.

The NY Times says this is a piece best served with alcohol. Will there be alcohol at the show?

In my opinion, this piece is best served with a friend beside you! But yes, there will be wine and beer as well as non-alcoholic options available to enjoy.

5 LESBIANS EATING A QUICHE shows April 30 through May 9, 2015 at 8 p.m. at Studio 101, Spring Street Studios, 1824 Spring St. Tickets are available for $15 here.

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