Ardmore’s Mary Elizabeth Scallen portrays several ‘Broads’ in new comedy
For its first show of 2019, 1812 Productions presents a cabaret style revue highlighting selected comediennes from the 1920s through the 1960s called ‘Broads.’ The show opens Wednesday and continues through Feb. 24.
The title captures the show’s irreverence
“These women were being risqué, speaking their minds, making the kind of comedy they wanted to make,” said director Jennifer Childs who also wrote the script. .
A cast of three veteran actresses portray the style, jokes and songs of Mae West, Sophie Tucker, Moms Mabley and others.
“I didn’t expect these women to be quite as daring as they were, especially since this was years ago,” said Mary Elizabeth Scallen of Ardmore (who is known as MB)
“It wasn’t just their language. They were also overtly sexual and completely irreverent. And their writing was really witty. Even now, it’s still hilarious.”
Like the other two cast members, Jess Condo and Joilet Harris, Scallen takes on three of these “broads.” One of them is Belle Barthe.
“She was known as the female Lenny Bruce and she did late night stand up comedy mainly in the 50s and
60s,” said Scallen.
In her major scene as Barthe, “I use her exact words and do a sequence of her best jokes,” said Scallen.
She also plays is Saucy Silvia, a performer from the
60s and 70s.
“I do some of her best jokes, and I also do several of her songs,” said Scallen.
The third comedienne is Sophie Tucker. In this scene, Scallen does a medley of Tucker’s songs.
To prepare for their roles, the three actresses spent time even before rehearsals listening to the routines and the music of the comediennes they portray — ten in all. They also watched videos when available. .
Because some of the women worked in the 1940s and 1950s, the cast members often had to search for LP’s.
“We got a turntable and listened to vinyl recordings,” said Scallen.
The show is presented in cabaret style, with the three performers addressing the audience directly in their scenes.
“That style is new to me,” said Scallen. “I love the direct contact with the audience.”
There are considerable challenges with each of her major scenes. For instance, for Belle Barthe, “the big challenge is that she switches between lighthearted casual banter with the audience and then this driving energy when she tells a good joke,” said Scallen. “It’s as if she has two different speeds, and that’s the key to her style.”
For Sophie Tucker, the challenge was different.
“She primarily makes fun of herself, and learning how to do this is the key to playing her,” said Scallen. “And it’s so much fun.”
The show is presented with no intermission and the three cast members never leave the stage and get no breaks.
“We’re either doing our leading roles or we’re playing supporting roles,” said Scallen. “So we’re onstage the entire time.” .
As a longtime actress with an extensive career, she can certainly handle the challenges. This year marks Scallen’s 28th as a company member of People’s Light & Theater Company. She’s also appeared on many other area stages, including the Arden, Act 11 Playhouse, Bristol Riverside Theater, the Lantern, the Wilma, and others.
“Broads” marks her debut with 1812, the company that specializes in comedy.
“I’ve been a fan of 1812 since it started,” she said, “and I’ve been attending its productions since the start. I’ve always wanted to work with them, and I’m delighted that the schedules worked out and it’s finally happening.”
Besides making her debut with this show, “Broads” is a first in another way.
“This is the first time my life partner is also my boss,” said Scallen, referring to the Stage Manager for 1812, Thomas Shotkin. The theater professionals live together in Ardmore, and now, for the duration of “Broads,” they’re also together for the same show.
The busy actress is already lined up for two upcoming shows after the 1812 show ends Feb. 24. Next up she’ll appear as Wendy in the People’s Light production of “To Peter Pan On her 70th Birthday.”
Later, at the Arden in May and June, she’ll play Vera in “Indecent,” a play about a Yiddish theater troupe.
Right now, she’s fully enjoying the novelty of a show portraying well known “broads” of the past and she’s gained a new admiration for them.
“Mae West, Mobs Mabley, Sophie Tucker – all the broads that came before them and all the broads that have come after them – continue to violate taboos, break conventions, and highlight hypocrisies,” said Scallen. “They help us find our way back to our truest, bravest, frankest selvesand they show us how to have a good time along the way. These women inspire me with the confidence to go out and fight another day in our complex society.”