‘The Best of Everything’ chronicles 20th century women
2nd Story Theatre production offers some insights, lessons amidst all of the laughs
WARREN — 2nd Story Theatre revisits the 1950s in an interesting production of “The Best of Everything,” the stage adaptation of Rona Jaffe’s popular and scandalousfor-1958 novel of the same title.
The story centers on five young secretaries at a New York City publishing firm and uses their personal and professional experiences to plumb the mores of the era. It’s an insightful, and often humorous, look back on how things have changed – or not.
Among the five is Mary Agnes Russo, emblematic of the prevailing script for women: get married, have children and live happily ever after. Planning her wedding day consumes her, but as one smart co-worker observes, “It’s a good thing she has a wedding to distract her from her marriage.”
That wise woman is Caroline Bender, a newcomer to the secretarial pool and the central character. She’s a bright Radcliffe graduate who might have gone down that same path as Mary Agnes except her Romeo jilted her. She goes to work to distract her from her disappointment and discovers she likes it, despite warnings against appearing too smart or too ambitious.
There also is April Morrison, a pretty, small-town girl ill equipped to deal with the big city; Gregg Adams, a big city girl who still can be taken advantage of; and Brenda Zaleski, who looks out for herself.
The apparent “villain” is Amanda Farrow, the sole female editor at the company and an overbearing, dismissive one.
The men in this story are supporting characters.
What counts are the relationships and the camaraderie among these disparate women. They go through heartbreak and disappointment, wanted and unwanted sexual advances. They find out that ambition in a woman is OK, and the fortunate ones experience self-discovery and acceptance. Their stories are told episodically, in vignettes covering a couple years’ time (only about 100 minutes of real time for theater goers).
In her debut at 2nd Story, Kira Hawkridge, artistic director of Out Loud Theatre in Providence, stages the show with a mix of stylized movement between realistic scenes.
In choreographed maneuvers set to music, the actors reposition the minimal props – boxes and tables that represent office desks and chairs or other furnishings, depending on the setting – and then get back into character for the next scene. It is a different approach that interrupts the storytelling, but at the same time is oddly dramatic, especially under changing lighting by Marc Tiberiis II.
The accompanying music is well chosen, from “Jingle Bell Rock,” which instantaneously sets a holiday theme, to pertinent or poignant lyrics from popular artists.
But it wasn’t the movement or the music that sold me on this production; it was the performances. While the characters are drawn with a broad brush, the actors work on the details. Kerry Giorgi as Caroline Bender stands out because of her expressive face and body language. She seems to shrink under boss Amanda Farrow’s put-downs, but later, when she stands up to her, is completely convincing.
As Amanda, Rae Mancini turns in a well thought-out performance. She can be haughty, but she has struggled for her position in the male-dominated workplace and is protective of it.
Valerie Westgate is both tough and vulnerable as Gregg, the big city girl, and David Sackal is on the mark as Eddie, the guy who jilted Caroline but is having second thoughts. He’s perfect at conveying Eddie’s sense of entitlement and lack of understanding for Caroline’s point of view.
David Nando Rodgers plays the four other men in the play, casting suggested by the playwright because the men are so interchangeable in Caroline’s life. He’s best as the complex Mike Rice, Caroline’s alcoholic co-worker.
In 16 scenes, “The Best of Everything” investigates myriad scenarios encountered by mid-20th century women. The characters are stereotypes, but they still are reminders for women and men of the 21st century . Performance of “The Best of Everything” continue through May 28 at 2nd Story Theatre, 28 Market St. Tickets are $35, or $25 for persons under age 25. To buy tickets and select seats, visit
or call the box office at 401-247-4200.