Fringe: Anaïs Nin Goes to Hell: The Girls Who Just Watch

"Several famous women from history have a meeting of the minds":  It's not a terribly original idea- Arthur Kopit did it with Chamber Music, Caryl Churchill did it in the opening scene of Top Girls, and now David Stallings takes on the idea with wit and style in his Anaïs Nin Goes to Hell, part of the 2008 New York International Fringe Festival.

An island in the afterlife, surrounded by the river Styx, is the setting.  Greek princess Andromeda (Marnie Schulenberg) bickers with nun Heloise (Aly Wirth) about whether or not a ship is coming to bring someone new, and if that someone will be a man.  Turns out the island is entirely peopled by women – Queen Victoria (Madalyn McKay), Joan of Arc (Colleen Piquette), and Cleopatra (Maggie Benedict*) are the other residents.  Most of the women are waiting for their men to join them. Joan is waiting for God. Into their midst comes erotica writer Anaïs Nin (Shelly Feldman), who teaches them to change their thinking, innocently deconstructing their lives and ideals.

Stallings' play is full of ideas about feminism, moving on, and acceptance.  It is also full of humor, pathos, and heart. 

There are fine performances all around- Schulenberg is a sweet delight as the ditzy Andromeda, McKay is appropriately imperious as Queen Victoria, and Piquette is very funny as insane spitfire Joan.  Jeremy King is very funny as Lord Alfred "Bosie" Douglas (who shows up in search of his Oscar).  Aly Wirth gives a magnificent performance as Heloise; by turns hilarious and touching.  Feldman is a gleeful delight as Nin- owning every moment she's onstage with stylish grace and power- one really believes her as the catalyst for all the change her character inspires.

The costumes by David Withrow are terrific, up to his usual standard- especially fine is his gown for Queen Victoria, and his perfectly tailored outfit for Anaïs Nin.  The set by Stephanie Tucci is appropriately spare, with birch trees in the back and a large rock for the women to lounge upon- some strangely childish cut-outs of waves that flank the stage are the only sour note.

Cristina Alicea's direction is wonderful- she brings the most out of the talented cast.

Anaïs Nin Goes to Hell
Maieutic Theatre Works

part of the 2008 New York International Fringe Festival
VENUE #17: The Connelly Theater

Remaining performances:
Sun 17 @ 7:15
Thu 21 @ 5:15
Sun 24 @ 2:45

* on the night I attended, Ms. Benedict had a death in the family, and Kristina Kohl, another actress from Maieutic Theatre Works, took over her role with 4 hours notice, on book, and gave a fine performance.

Edit 8/14/08 - it has been announced that Kohl will be continuing in the role for the rest of the Fringe run.

Photo Credit: Erica Parise

1. Marnie Schulenberg as Andromeda and Aly Wirth as Heloise
   
2.  Madalyn McKay as Queen Victoria and Colleen Piquette as Joan of Arc
3. Shelly Feldman as Anais Nin

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