BWW Reviews: Women on Top - The ladies of The FIRST LADIES PROJECT

Produced as a part of the Playwrights Horizons Theater School COOKERY Festival, the First Ladies Project closed today at the Robert Moss Theatre (440 Lafayette Street).  Conceived by PHTS Alumni Claire Downs, the First Ladies Project was collaboratively written by and starred PTHS Alumni Kim Blanck, Ms. Downs, Ryann Weir, Annie Tippe and Dana Clinkman.  Ms. Tippe did double duty as director with Rachel Schneider on sets, Eleot Reich as Costume Designer, Eric Mercado on lighting and Eric Beil as Sound Designer. 

Beginning with the obvious Martha Washington and ending with the more obvious Michelle Obama, the First Ladies Project unearths hilarious and often touching stories of this under-appreciated sorority. It brings to light questions regarding the role of women within the Presidency, American History and in turn society today. I have to say in the interest of fair disclosure, I have my Masters Degree in American History from Rutgers University.  To that, I say "Huzzah!" to the First Ladies Project ensemble for bringing dimensionality to a group best known to the ages for their china patterns and not much else.   They brought intelligence and insightfulness to an alliance of women who, although not elected, played a far more impactful role in American History than most people care to recognize. 

The First Ladies Project is a well-crafted satire written in the "Second City" style. It is interesting to note that three members of the ensemble graduated The Second City Teen Program.  This sharpness is evident in moments such as Laura Bush's Stand-up routine and Lucretia Garfield's diphtheria-inspired rap.  The ensemble was excellent bringing to light unknown First Ladies as well as fleshing out the lives of the more iconic ladies seated beside our Commander and Chiefs.  For all of the hard-hitting satire evident throughout the show, there were some wonderful moments of humanity as well. Edith Wilson comforting her enfeebled husband and Hillary Clinton facing her husband's repeated infidelities were just some of those moments.

The First Ladies Project ensemble was extremely strong.  To pick a favorite amongst them would frankly be like picking a favorite First Lady.  If I were to find any fault with the production, some vignettes went far beyond their strongest moment (especially the Edith Wilson vignette).  When these scenes went too long, it deflated everything the vignette worked toward. It also took time away from other First Ladies, who wound up ultimately being short-changed. 

(How can you not spend time on Pat Nixon?  She is the only First Lady whose husband resigned in abject disgrace.)

Overall, this was a great production.  The First Ladies Project was sharp and well written.  Sad to see it close, I look forward to seeing this project grow further. For more about this project and future runs, check out www.firstladiesproject.com.   

 

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