by Charlsie-Kern Kruger
Eve Harrington is one of the great villainesses of the American theatre, probably most familiar to modern audiences by way of the classic movie , “All About Eve,” which featured Anne Baxter in the role, as well as marking the film debut of Marilyn Monroe in a tiny part.
But before Anne and Marilyn (and of course, Bette Davis as Margo Channing) brought this gem to the silver screen, the play was a huge success on Broadway, and this sturdy revival serves the story well.
Margo Channing (Sinduj Singh) is a Broadway star of a certain age, still performing in ingenue roles. She as at the peak of her career. Eve Harrington (Anna Kosiarek) is the sort of obsessed fan who hangs around stage doors. She admits to having seen Margo in 50 performances of her current production. The story is not complicated. Eve is on the make, and she worms her way into Margo’s circle, only gradually revealing her own acting ambitions, and eventually lands a job as Margo’s understudy. She then manages to trick Margo into missing a performance (an unheard of event) and uses the opportunity to promote herself. Ultimately, her rise is Margo’s fall, and Eve doesn’t hesitate to twist the knife she has stabbed into Margo’s back. If that weren’t enough, she manages to seduce and abandon almost every man she encounters who might offer the slightest boost to her career.
It’s a deliciously nasty play, designed for show boating by two flamboyant actresses. The current production at Altarena Playhouse features two drama queens who really know how to float that boat. Sindu Singh brings a lot of pizazz to the role of Margo Channing, an egoist with a huge talent and a surprising capacity for self-reflection. She charms us with her grace even as we cringe at her inflated ego. As Eve, Anna Kosiarek projects a convincing innocence at the start, and is very good at only gradually revealing the worm at the core of her polished and tempting apple. She is superb as the girl whom everybody wants to help. Until they live to regret it.
Singh and Kosiarek are supported by a capable team of exprienced actors, who hit all the necessary beats.
Kimnberly Ridgeway directs the proceedings in a straightforward manner.
The high point of this production is the stellar interaction between Margo and Eve and when that is going strong, things are popping.
However, at 2 and half hours, there is a lot of lag time between delights.
Costume Designer Ava Byrd has done a particularly fine job of capturing the millieu of mid 20th century Broadway. The actors are dressed exactly as they should be, projecting fashionable wealth and achievement, with each sartorial choice perfectly suited to the character of the wearer.
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Rating: **1/2 (For an explanation of TheatreStorm’s rating system, click here.)
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“The Wisdom of Eve” by Mary Orr. Produced by Alterena Playhouse. Director: Kimberly Ridgeway. Set: Tom Curtin. Lighting: Elinoar Almagor. Costumes: Ava Byrd.
CAST:
Karen: Allison Gamlen. Eve: Anna Kosjarek. Margo: Sindu Singh. Clement/Hinkle: Dan Allan. Lloyd: Alan Kropp. Harvey: Tyler Null. Leila/Vera: Shelby Ballentine. “Tally-Ho” Thompson: Dan Kolodny.
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