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Regional Reviews: Albuquerque/Santa Fe They Must Be Women Now Also see Carole's review of Bad Medicine
They must be women now Not allowed to go free From Antigone by Sophocles and displayed on the flat screen on the set. In They Must Be Women Now, by Nedra Pezold Roberts, now playing in a world premiere production at The Vortex Theater, we are taken into Althea's Bridal and Bail Bonds. Althea's daughter, Charlene (called "Sweet Tea"), has lost her job and has come home while she searches for a job. We also meet Betsy (played with joy and bubbles by Kenzie Ross), a young woman getting married, clashing with her mother Lurleen (played with ice and wires by Alli Marie) over the choice of dress and especially the choice of groom. Partner in the business with Althea is Olivia (played with warmth and understanding by Nicee Brown). Olivia and Lurleen do not get along, and later we find out why. We also find that a long-distance trucker and stepfather to Charlene, Skip (played with comfort and strength by Bryan Hertweck), is dying. Althea and Skip have been married and divorced several times over, a point of contention that he "cheats on her with the road." Althea laments often being left on her own and alone. Charlene narrates the piece. Spoilers ahead. The beginning had such established points of character I found myself drawn in, only to be hit across the face with bad jokes like an unexpected slap–fatphobic jokes, sexist ones, and anti-homeless propaganda. The cheapness of the jokes took me out of the show, and I found myself looking over my shoulder to see if anyone else was shocked like I was. Olivia's story of her husband being effectively killed by the local police and other racists within their town is not given a long enough time to settle. Brown is able to deftly play this off as a woman who is wanting to move on from past tragedy, but one wonders what would have happened had the audience been given the chance to sit in the horror of the story. Lurleen finds out that her father was involved in the death of Olivia's husband, and this is glossed over within a scene or two. Olivia's assertion that she will take her childhood nickname of Liv as "live" and live her life is the point of the show. The point of the show is to live. We must live our lives even if we are left behind. Why? Love. Love is the point, the reason, and the drive of all life. Even though we hear some of the characters assert this, I have a hard time knowing if the author believes that as well. Ray Rey Griego, the director, handles a confused script with grace, but even Griego cannot tie together threads that the playwright left loose. Timothy Chivalette, a wonderful actor, is not given nearly enough stage time as The Boss. The actors and actresses are engaging, the world feels lived in, and the production design is excellent. They Must be Women Now runs through August 30, 2026, at The Vortex Theater, 2900 Carlisle Blvd NE, Albuquerque NM. Show times are Friday and Saturday at 7:30 and Sundays at 2 PM. Tickets range from $21 through $26. For tickets and information, please visit www.vortexabq.org or call 505-247-860. Directed by Ray Rey Griego The Cast: Nicee Brown, Tasha Irvin, Kenzie Ross, Alli Marie, Caitlin Kelly, Bryan Hertweck, and Timothy Chivalette . |
