'Uncommon Women and Others' a Night to Remember

It was closing night at Actor’s Playground in Freehold. Due to a wardrobe malfunction, the audience waited patiently to enter the theater. We became acquainted quickly. There was a theater teacher who had retired just that day yet attended to see her favorite student. Parents and friends of the cast galore chatted about this special performance. Four of the stars would be leaving for college and this ensemble group would be experiencing their own finale.

The director took the stage, and shares with the audience valuable background information. Each actor was performing their favorite role and they were played to perfection.

Uncommon Women and Others takes place in the 1970s. A reunion of college friends, six years later, sets the stage to recall the drama each girl confronted senior year at Mt. Holyoke College. The play recreates the confusion a young woman faced in a world where options are wide open and there is no clear path to take.

Directed by Ralph Columbino, each character in this ensemble stayed true to their role. The maturity that these high school-aged girls demonstrated in tackling adult material has to be applauded as does their masterful performances.

Rita is a young woman who can’t face life. She escapes in sexual encounters, roll playing, and outlandish banter. Dani Berkowitz, who has an amazing presence that takes over the stage, captured her character’s rebellious nature and intense insecurity brilliantly.

Holly is a rich girl who does not fit in. She is aware of the path her parents want her to take. She attempts to “marry the doctor” because she personally has no clue who she is or what she wants to do. Katie Steinberg was riveting. Her sarcasm and wit create an external presence for the character that is contrasted with her deeply vulnerable monologue. Holly has a wide range of talent.

Kate Kostecky played Muffet. This beautiful young lady created a character so vulnerable and insecure using the most incredible facial expressions and body language. Her motions always coincided with her words. In the final scene, Muffet’s contentment at being independent had a great impact on the audience. Kate’s amazing delivery exemplifies a true talent.

Accolades to Kelsey Murphy, who brought the character of Samantha Stewart to a level greater than the persona she portrayed. Samantha chose the path of subordinate to a successful husband and has started a family yet still wishes she were more of her own person. Kelsey played her so skillfully it made the character appear that much more vulnerable.

Monica Murphy as Susie Friend charmed the entire audience. Her smile lit up the room. This young actor’s ability to capture the embodiment of a woman who blindly follows the expected path is exciting. Her voice quality is powerful and she has real star quality.

Carter, the freshman, played by Daisy Hoagland is a difficult roll because she speaks few words but represents a generation of women who feel estranged and alone. Daisy captured Carter's vulnerability though facial expressions and body language. Her character's sweet yet desperate voice tells the audience everything they need to know.

Kate is played by Julia Barnett, who made the part her own. Her dream-like voice and upturned face quantified the scope of her role as a woman who chooses career over life. The character’s spiritless existence is portrayed to perfection.

Kate Donovan plays Mrs. Plum who represents the woman of the 1950s. This high senior portrayed a housemother in her 60s so convincingly I kept on checking to see if the wrinkles were really drawn on. Her voice was in tune with that of a person who must look back on the decisions she has made and feign satisfaction. Kate never over acted, which made her performance that much more remarkable.

And then there was Leilah. She represents the girl who does not feel she is good enough or pretty enough. Grace Cooley, the original actor, had fallen ill and was unable to perform opening night. Kelly Dronne memorized the lines in two days. Her haunting portrayal was above and beyond what anyone expected.

Grace returned to the play for a later performance. Her actng was powerful. These talented girls demonstrate the true spirit of the theater catchphrase “The Show Must Go On.”

Each girl added her own interpretation to make the role unique. These outstanding actors displayed a work ethic and love for the theater that must be commended.

It was an evening so entertaining that we all left the theater smiling, fundraisers, women’s groups, hospitals and assisted living facilities and anyone one else who wants to sponsor a group activity, think of Actors Playground. These wonderful talents deserve our support.

The director was beyond pleased with his cast's performance. He discussed the school's technique for bringing the most out of its young charges.

"Actors Playground School of Theatre's philosophy is to teach college conservatory theatre curriculum to young people while they are still in grammar, middle or high school. The students are going out on professional work through high-end theatrical representation and many of them are also hoping to get into the prestigious universities for theater," Columbino said. "For them to be able to reach these goals effectively, we do not pull any punches when it comes to training in the art, by the same token, the productions we put on stage or more likely plays you would see at a college conservatory. These kids need every advantage they can get when it comes to the acting industry so we always try to raise the bar and put forth works that are challenging, well written, and an alternative to what you would normally see in the community for younger actors."