The Compleat History of Women, abridged
By Thespiation
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Company Name: Thespiation
City/State: Kansas City, MO
Genre: Comedy, Theatre
Ratings: PG-13
Director: Wendy Thompson
Playwright: Wendy Thompson
Premiere: Yes
Warnings: Adult Language, some innuendo, discussion of mistreatment of women
Venue: Independence Blvd Christian Church
Show Times:
7:30 PM Saturday, July 20
6:00 PM Sunday, July 21
6:00 PM Wednesday, July 24
9:00 PM Friday, July 26
3:00 PM Saturday, July 27
Description:
A mad dash through the broadest subject of all time ... in less than an hour?? Are they crazy? From Grecian togas to bikinis and spacesuits. From gaining our rights to losing them. The crazy conga line of women's steps and missteps.
Is this history? You might learn something.
Is this melodrama? You'll laugh, you'll cry.
Is it a reality show? Can they even do it?
Come see for yourself ... the clock keeps ticking!
Cast/Crew:
Director/Writer: Wendy Thompson
Cast:
Joy Gogan- Eve
Joanna Benitez- Jill
Valerie Hanna- Sharon
Larry Goodman- Mark
Stage Manager Ebonee Grace
Past Fringe Shows:
The Clinic, 2022 Six Degrees of Defecation, 2021 Striking Beauty, 2017
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OUR SPONSORS
Missouri Arts Council
Theater League
Arts KC
NTDF
henderson
VMA
The cast did a great job of playing interesting characters and they held my attention throughout the story. Some good comedic moments and some educational information about so many women in history.
This was such a fun show! The characters commanded the stage with whit and laughter. I loved the audience involvement. The show was fast-paced and fun. My husband and I were both laughing throughout.
Good moments overall, though I was left wanting more from piece. At times it felt like the script was simply reading a list of names without much context….and then in the last 30 seconds or so, that’s literally what three of the leads did. Focusing less on name-dropping and more on giving context to so many of these historic women and their work would make much more of an impact. I was very frustrated by the inclusion of a stereotypical, misogynistic Al Bundy type of husband character- trust, the audience has heard enough from cisgender men whining about women who dare to ask for respect. This piece would have been more effective and upbeat without his involvement at all, OR by rewriting him as a fellow champion of women who loved and supported his wife in her creative endeavors. As a queer audience member, I was disappointed in how any mentions of pronouns/gender diversity were treated as punchlines. Women’s liberation, queer rights and reproductive health access are all deeply intertwined in a collective struggle, and shouldn’t be ignored or diminished.
What a phenomenal ensemble show! Everyone worked so well off of each other, the pacing was consistent and never lagged, and it really felt like a morsel of women’s history in 60 minutes in the best way possible. Could easily have done without the Brad or husband character as much, if only because it’s bad enough we have to deal with so many men like that in the real world, every time he was a jerk onstage it made me actively want to “boo” him — so kudos and props to the sweetheart who plays him!! Each of the women felt honest, full-fledged, and real. I could see this entire set in real life, an evening in your living room creating with your friends. An absolute joy!
It was a great evening of laughter and thought-provoking theater. The cast of characters were spot-on with their roles. I appreciated the audience’s involvement and recognition of women making a difference today. Thank you for sharing the Herstory of Women, where we are today, and how women have shaped our society…their efforts often unrecognized!