Often in life the powerful are forced to come to terms with the painful sacrifices and misdeeds that ultimately led to their success. In a striking demonstration of a woman faced simultaneously with a brilliant future and a haunting past, the Ohio University School of Theater commenced last night with Caryl Churchill's Top Girls
the school's third main stage production.
Though infinitely complex, the School of Theater helped the audience to connect with the issues explored through a consistently solid acting, technical and design presentation.
After a life-altering promotion, Marlene, a powerful London executive with the Top Girls Employment Agency, celebrates her accomplishment with a collection of extraordinary feminist figures of the past. From Lady Nijo, an ancient Japanese concubine-turned-nun to Pope Joan, the legendary 9th Century transvestite papal leader, the dynamic dinner guests reflect over their varying degrees of success and misfortune.
When the play eventually shifts back to Marlene's ordinary life, it is suggested that the essence of these women, their willingness to undergo shocking personal sacrifice for professional gain, is forever present in Marlene's existence.
Aptly bringing to life an eccentric group of characters, the cast of Top Girls succeeds in conveying the subtle intricacies that Churchill depended upon to make the play so compelling. Though Cassandra Kaluza, who portrayed Marlene, provides a solid base for the performance, each actress impeccably delivers the necessary accent, mannerism and mindset that their individual character dictates.
A striking scenic design, including a grandiose yet versatile performance space, creates a fitting tone for the production.
Most importantly, it is highly evident that the production team of Top Girls spent considerable time re-creating the emotional and intellectual aspects of the piece.
As moving as the play can be if understood correctly, the basic structure of the script makes many aspects of Top Girls difficult to understand. Various characters often speak at once, overlapping each other and sometimes lending to an air of chaos. As frustrating as this can be for the audience, it succeeds in reflecting natural conversation and is an asset to the realistic atmosphere of Churchill's script.
The production was highly successful because it evoked a wide variety of emotions, helping the audience to understand the context and meaning in the process. Top Girls was hilarious, shocking and uncomfortable in all the right places. 17
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Jason Kane
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Ohio University students Molly Pacenta (left) as Dull Gret and Karli Daulton (right) as Griselda perform at dress rehearsal for the play Top Girls Monday night in Kantner Hall. The play opened last night and will be running through the weekend, with add
