*** Recommended *** As I watched Wife of a Salesman unfold on the Writers Theatre stage, I thought I was seeing a righteous wife (maybe from a famous play by Arthur Miller) invade the apartment of her husband’s mistress. Just as things got interesting, however, the story turned onto its proverbial ear when a cell phone rang. After that, the story lost its credibility. And that’s a problem! While the acting is outstanding, the play just didn’t work. 3 Spotlights
I don’t know much about commissioning a play, but somewhere along the line someone had an idea. I guess if enough people agreed that it was a good idea, it could be workshopped and eventually developed into a play – which may or may not end up being produced. At some point in the process, someone has to decide what the play should be. I don’t think anyone decided what Wife of a Salesman would be.
As the lights come up, a young woman, The Mistress (Amanda Drinkall), wearing pink lounging pajamas, is puttering around her apartment, while listening to a serial on the radio. Just as it was about to end, someone knocked on her door.
When she opened the door, The Wife (Kate Fry), who says she’s selling fine fabric, barges her way in, even though the Mistress says she doesn’t sew. As the Wife looks around, she made a rather snarky comment about the décor in the mostly pink apartment.
The Wife couldn’t open her case, so the Mistress did it for her. As she was showing her wares, the Mistress said he’d do it better. Then she went on to say she knew she was The Wife (Kate Fry), because her picture was in his wallet. The Wife wanted the Mistress to leave her husband alone. The Mistress told the wife to get over it, she wasn’t the first.
Just as things were getting really interesting, a cell phone rang and suddenly a man ran down the steps yelling and everything stopped. Then the woman playing the Wife stood up and apologized for the phone, while Jim (Rom Barkholder) reminded them that this was dress rehearsal and they needed to get through it.
Rehearsal continued but so what? I didn’t need to watch the Wife and the Mistress any longer because they weren’t a wife and a mistress, they were actresses with sick kids and insecurities. A play within a play is often fun to watch, especially if the actors start discussing their characters. Neither play was particularly compelling. .
Note: Guests must show proof of vaccination with photo ID before entering the theater. Guests are required to wear masks while inside the building.
Wife of a Salesman runs through April 3rd in the Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Theatre, Writers Theatre, 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe. Free parking is available in the Metra lot across Green Bay Road. Running time is 1 hour, 40 minutes, no intermission. Performances are Wednesdays at 3:00 & 7:30 pm; Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 pm; Saturdays at 3:00 & 7:30 pm; Sundays at 2:00 & 6:00 pm. Tickets range from $35-$90. FYI (847) 242-6000 or www.writerstheatre.org.