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Regional Reviews: Philadelphia Broads Also see Rebecca's recent review of A Shadow that Broke the Light
Accompanied by on stage by pianist Mark Randall and several glasses of bourbon, Rebecca Robbins, Melanye Finister, and Mary Elizabeth "MB" Scallen share the stories, jokes, and songs of icons like Mae West, Moms Mabley, and Sophie Tucker. The history of these women is completely fascinating and the jokes are hilarious. They are also titillatingly smutty, even by today's standards. Robbins, Finister, and Scallen have the entire audience laughing out loud from start to finish. Best of all, these broads can really sing! I could happily listen to this trio sing showtunes, pop hits, and jazz standards for hours. Director and creator Jennifer Childs has put together something really special with this cabaret. In addition to being thoroughly entertaining, Broads shines a light on the women who were America's entertainment pioneers. The show illustrates how much these women contributed to modern comedy and how far we still have to go, both in terms of recognizing women's contributions and normalizing discussions of so-called female issues. 1812 Productions' Broads runs through February 26, 2023, at Plays & Players Theatre, 1714 Delancey Place, Philadelphia PA. For information and tickets please visit 1812productions.org. Curated and Directed by Jennifer Childs |
