Arts & Entertainment
Review: 'The Cover of Life' by Phoenix Stage Company
The drama was engrossing and I did not see the ending coming; in my opinion, this was one of the best dramas that the PSC has ever produced.
Pictured: The Cliffert brothers pose for a prop photograph Photo courtesy of Phoenix Stage Company
‘The Cover of Life’ is a period play written by R. T. Robinson and refers to the coveted front cover of ‘Life’ magazine. For my younger readers, ‘Life’ was an American magazine that ran weekly from 1883 to 1972, published initially as a humor and general interest magazine that transitioned to a weekly news magazine with a strong emphasis on photojournalism. The action in the play is set during WWII and follows the lives of military wives waiting for their men to return from the war. Phoenix Stage Company presents this dramatic comedy (that was first presented by the American Stage Company and was further developed at the Hartford Stage Company) through July 23.
Tood, Weetsie, and Sybill are young brides in rural Louisiana in 1943 that have each married a Cliffert brother and are all living with the soldiers’ mother (Aunt Ola) while the men are serving their country. A local news story about these young wives keeping the home fires burning catches the eye of publisher Henry Luce. He wants to put them on the cover of his magazine and assigns Kate Miller to the story. The correspondent/photographer has been covering the war in Europe, but she reluctantly accepts this assignment because it will be her first cover story. Kate spends an eventful week with the Cliffert women and Addie Mae, the local reporter. As the action unfolds, her haughty urban attitude gives way to sympathy as she begins to understand them while coming face to face with her own powerlessness in a man's world.
CLICK HERE TO READ MY ENTIRE REVIEW ON ONSTAGE
Because there are many more seats available at the Phoenix Stage Company’s new location, tickets are usually available at the door but reservations are encouraged for the best seats. During intermission, don’t forget to sample the Hardcore Cake Balls for sale in the lobby. ‘The Cover of Life’ runs now through July 23, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 3pm at Clockwork Repertory in Oakville.
Up next at Phoenix Stage Company is ‘A Man of No Importance’ which opens August 20. The cast of this musical includes Leah Nashel, Ed Bassett, Ian Diedrich, Jeff Savage, Tony Enright, Brock Putnam, Chuck Stango, Aric Martin, Jane Coughlin, Kathy Cook, Beth Steinberg, Deb Diamonte, Debbie Goodman, Glory Smith, Leland Schick, and Bill Knight.
