Theater Review: 'Be A Good Little Widow' at Phoenix Stage Company

Review by Connecticut Critics Circle member Nancy Sasso Janis

“Be A Good Little Widow” is a heartfelt play written by female playwright Bekah Brunstetter. Phoenix Stage Company in the Oakville section of Watertown chose to produce the play during their season of works by women. Performances continue through May 18.

In this poignant tale, Melody is a very young wife who has never attended a funeral and now her husband has died in a plane crash. Her mother-in-law is Hope, a member of “The Widow’s League” in her hometown, who expects Melody to immediately assume “proper widowhood,” but Melody has no idea as to the right way to grieve. Perhaps under Hope’s guidance, the young woman will be able to become “a good little widow.”

There is a good amount of quiet comedy in what is essentially a heavy story. Some quick pop culture references add to the authenticity, and some music by Louis Armstrong and the beautiful hymn “It Is Well With My Soul,” penned by hymnist Horatio Spafford in 1873 after the loss of his four daughters, also become themes.

Colleen Renzullo of Torrington has directed the production with a maternal vision, for both the story and the performers in the cast. Renzullo said that she came out of “retirement” to direct this piece. As an actress, she was part of “Drinking Habits” when Phoenix Stage Company was located in Naugatuck.

The director has assembled a cast of four wonderfully talented performers to bring these characters to life.

Caroline Lucy Ahlman does everything right in her performance as Melody, the very young widow who is three years out of college and not sure of a career. It is hard not to relate to the range of emotions that her character endures, a young bride transplanted from Colorado to Connecticut trying to start a new life that has been rocked to the core. Ahlman appeared in last year’s “Pocket Shakespeare,” and this is a chance for her to shine in a starring role.

Benjamin Dressel brings so much charm to his role of Craig, the punctual young lawyer who must often travel. Dressel has appeared on the Phoenix Stage with “The Bright Young Things” troupe.

Chrissy Flynn does such an amazing job of playing Craig’s widowed mother that it is impossible to imagine any other actress in the role. Melody’s mother-in-law takes over the funeral arrangements with determination, which only delays her own grief process. Flynn has appeared in many shows with Phoenix Stage over the years, as well as working with other area venues.

Nathan Spencer makes his Phoenix Stage Company debut in the role of Craig’s coworker Brad, whose father is a partner in the firm.

Renzullo designed the somewhat stark set that matches the tone of the story. A starry backdrop lights up for the flashback scenes. Tim Phillips, who serves as the Vice-Chair of the theater’s Board of Directors, works as the stage manager, the props master and half of the set crew. Ed Bassett took care of lighting and sound design, so after the curtain speech, he heads to the booth.

Be sure to take a few minutes in the lobby to watch a video of still photos of past Phoenix Stage Company, including “The Last Supper: A Musical Enactment.”

“Widow” is presented with an intermission, during which patrons may pick up another box of free, endless popcorn. The performance is just under two hours. There is some mild foul language in the script and some mild sexual innuendo. Tickets are available for the final 3 performances on Saturday at 8:00 p.m and Sunday at 3:00 p.m.phoenixstagecompany.org

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theater reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, and she posts well over 100 reviews each year. She became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle in 2016. Her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted in the Naugatuck Patch as well as the Patch sites closest to the venue. She is also a feature writer and theater reviewer for the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column IN THE WINGS and theater reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the newspaper.

Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the CCC Facebook page.