Theater Review: "The Divas" at Ridgefield Theater Barn

Ridgefield - The Ridgefield Theater Barn is presenting the world premiere of “The Divas,” a compilation of seven one-acts written by Jack Neary. This funny play was originally slated for Aug. 2021, at the height of the pandemic when the theater was looking for material they could produce with limited cast and crew requirements.

Theater Barn Production Manager Paulette Layton had contacted the playwright about putting together an evening for his series and discovered it hadn’t been done before. She writes in her welcome letter in the digital playbill: “Although each one-act had been produced at various festivals and theaters, to much critical acclaim, no one had ever arranged for them to be performed together in one evening. What a wonderful opportunity!”

As a result of the postponement, Layton had to slide into the director’s chair because the original director Michael Ferrara had moved out of state. Layton notes that the first director had laid most of the groundwork and she strove to do justice to both the playwright’s words and the first director’s vision.

The production team invited Ferrara to write his own director’s notes for the digital program. His vision “mostly consisted of casting five wonderful actors, getting out of their way while allowing them to perform” this sassy play about the adventures of two experienced actors in theater land.

“She’s Fabulous,” the first in the series, opens the first act, followed by “Farewell and Adieu” and “The Grand Scheme,” all of which feature the two core characters of Bethel and Clarice. The first act closes with “Casting Amanda,” with two cast members added. After intermission, the characters celebrate a “Lifetime Achievement,” then their “Final Reckoning” and the evening ends with “Pearly Gates.”

Because the episodes, as the scenes are called, feature a pair of aging actresses, there are plenty of theater references that many in the audience can appreciate. The episodes work together so well that I found it surprising that this marks the first time they have been performed together.

The title of each episode is shared via a large card displayed by a crew member. There are also bits of show tunes, designed by Ben Warner, playing between the scenes that underline the previous action and preview what is to come.

The co-directors made sure that the episodes work seamlessly, keeping the audience engaged with the comedy of the interactions of the two divas. Director Ferrara noted that there is not a prima donna among the cast members in this play and all five performers bring their best to their roles.

The character Bethel must prove that she can be a “theatrical jackhammer” and Nancy Sinacori does just that in the Theater Barn debut. The actress played Linda Loman in “Death of a Salesman” at Curtain Call in Stamford. Deborah Connelly, a talented opera singer, also makes her debut at this venue in the role of Clarice and matches her scene partner at all times.

Tarah Margaret Vega (Betty Jean in “The Marvelous Wonderettes” at RTB) plays Glenna, a much-younger actress in the “Casting Amanda” episode, and she is wonderful in her one scene. Catherine Cavender, who was Cinderella’s mother in Musicals at Richter’s “Into the Woods,” makes her Theater Barn debut in only the final scene as actress Olivia Trent.

What a treat it was for me to see the talented Timothy Huber onstage as characters very different from the role of Ebenezer Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol” that he played with NewArts. He returns to this stage to play the big personalities of Michel, Daryl and Malcolm and masters the comedy in them.

Because of the one-act format, the production team is able to get away with very little in the way of both set pieces and props, although there are some lovely costume changes. The lighting design by Mark Hankla moves the scenes along nicely.

The Theater Barn is about to embark on a long-awaited physical expansion of their space. As part of the nearly 5,000 square foot expansion, a classroom and a black box theater will be added. Executive Director Pamme Jones proudly told the audience that the renovations are scheduled to begin in May.

Coming up next at the venue is their popular “Evening of One Acts Plays” in March, with “Peter and the Starcatcher” closing out the season in June. The Ridgefield Theater Barn is located at 37 Halpin Lane in Ridgefield.

“The Divas” runs at the Theater Barn through Feb. 26. Only 8 tables are available at each performance with cabaret seating and proof of vaccination is required. You may bring food and drink, and snacks and drinks are available at the lobby concessions stand. Doors open one hour prior to curtain.

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues. She posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. She recently became a contributor to the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column and theatre reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the paper.

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