The Leader OnLine, July 5, 2000
'Housewives' a must-see event
By Sandra Joslyn Tallarico
Special to the Leader

       A crackerjack cast, great music and impeccable direction make Bare Boards and Passion's current musical, "Angry Housewives," a must-see event. The show is set sometime in the early 1980s and has the costumes and lingo to prove it. The story is about four women who decide to form a punk band and enter a contest as a way to earn money.

      Bev, played by Marj Iuro, is a long-suffering widow whose husband left her penniless. Iuro gives a convincing performance as a woman down on her luck, trying to deal with her punk son, Tim, played by Timothy Mikulski. Mikulski handles his role as a guitar-playing miscreant with seeming effortlessness. Wendy, played by Michelle Hensel, is the mastermind behind the band. Hensel does a fantastic job with this character and is entertaining to follow. Judy Nichols plays Jetta, a meek wife and mother whose lot in life is to iron the underwear of her overweening husband. Nichols brings down the house with her riotous conversion from submissive sycophant to booze-swilling, raunchy lead singer. Larry, Jetta's husband, is played by Joe Pipia, who does an outstanding job as a tyrannical "mamma's boy" dealing with the newly discovered independent streak in his compliant wife. Catherine McNabb plays Carol, a recently divorced woman with an unhealthy obsession with food. Her nuanced performance as an insecure woman redefining herself is pure bliss to watch.

      A crew of stage-stealing supporting characters rounds out the cast. David H. Schroeder flawlessly plays the role of Wallace, a winsome nerd and Wendy's love interest. Neil Wood plays the delightfully grotesque Lewd Fingers, a rapscallion who not only owns the club the Housewives perform in but also develops a crush on Carol. In a hysterical bit part, the production's stage manager, Kenji Crosland, doubles as Weasel, a bumbling, incoherent employee of Lewd Fingers.

      The principals are competent musicians, but what they may lack in raw musical talent or training they make up for in showmanship and humor. With its ingenious musical score, the show is filled with catchy songs rife with wit and double entendre. In addition to the music being performed by the actors onstage, a small ensemble performs backstage as well. Led by musical director Leslie Lewis, who plays piano in the show, the combo includes Greg Vinson on guitar, Dan David on sax and clarinet, and Joey Gillard on drums. The musicians perform their supporting role admirably and add character to an already great show.

      While more than two hours in length, the production doesn't seem long, due to the fast-moving pace of the scenes and the efficacy in which the scene changes happen. The set is well-designed and visually appealing. Props are used in a variety of ways, making the stage both inviting and practical.

      Full of complicated roles, the performance is a credit to director Gale Wallis, with no one person standing out in this stellar ensemble cast.

      A word of caution: While this show is well-executed and exceedingly funny, it is not for children, due to language and content.

      "Angry Housewives" plays at 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Sunday, July 6-9 at Sightlines Theater, Jefferson County Fairgrounds, with continuing performances Thursday-Saturday, July 13-15, and one matinee at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, July 16.

      Tickets are $10 for adults; $8, students 17 and under. They are available at Vasu Video, 1030 Lawrence St. Call 385-0802 for reservations and information.

The Leader OnLine ©2000 Jefferson County Leader. P.O. Box 552 (226 Adams St), Port Townsend, Washington 98368, USA. Phone: (360) 385-2900. Fax: (360) 385-3422. Email: news@ptleader.com. Webmaster: Colleen Schumacher.