Theater Review: Playhouse on Park World Premiere

By Naugatuck/Bethwood Patch Mayor Nancy Sasso Janis

The world premiere of a new workplace comedy/drama titled “Webster’s Bitch” by Jacqueline Bircher has opened at Playhouse on Park in West Hartford. The play is directed by Vanessa Morosco, who holds a masters degree in Ethics from Yale University.

Webster's Bitch” was seen at the Playhouse as part of their Playwrights on Park reading series. The work is the first play they have chosen from this series to produce as a fully mounted show, with the expectation that it will have a solid life all over the country after this run. The fact that it was launched just outside of Hartford, Conn., the birthplace of Noah Webster, will give us some bragging rights.

The playwright notes that the bulk of this play’s development from first draft to its final version happened virtually during the pandemic. She set out to take a hard look at the “universal themes like intergenerational conflicts, technological advancements, gender equity in the workplace, the power of words, and so much more.” Morosco acknowledges the myriad of complex issues in the American workplace, but adds that the play also invites a joy and curiosity that leads to change.

This is essentially a smart story about Webster’s Dictionary and the people who keep it current. There is plenty of witty dialogue that propels the story, making it more than lexicographers with Masters degrees talking dirty.

Nevertheless, the quickly-paced script is both entertaining and thought-provoking. It is presented without intermission and when I checked the time 90 minutes into the 100 minute performance, I was disappointed that the story was about to conclude. The open-ended final scene aims to leave us with more questions than answers and succeeds.

On opening night the audience actually applauded after some particularly meaningful lines masterfully delivered by the strong cast. This is a very contemporary script, with Twitter playing a supporting role, as well as a reference to “The West Wing.”

The action is set at the offices of Webster’s Dictionary in Stamford, Connecticut on a Thursday evening. “Print is dying, careers are on the line, but words still need to be defined.” The comprehensive set and lighting design by Johanne Fiztpatrick immediately sets the location. Sound design by Jeffrey Salerno also helps, The house announcements that repeated some of the welcoming remarks by Playhouse administrators Tracy Flater, Sean Harris and Darlene Zoller were cleverly delivered.

The creative costume design by Raven Ong along with the meticulous props and set dressing by Erin Sagnelli also bring the scenes to life. Those of us old enough to remember the card catalog of the library will appreciate the decoration of the pillars at the corners of the stage.

The cast is a mix of Equity members and talented up and coming performers.

Broadway veteran and Equity actor Veanne Cox makes her debut at the Playhouse as Joyce, the supervisor that is referred to in the title. She embodies this strongly drawn character.

Although Peter Simon Hilton’s character Frank is referred to early in the story, he actually appears towards the end of the play in the role of the boss.

Mia Wurgaft plays Gwen, a young woman who strives to keep lexicography current and relevant. Wurgaft is a Julliard MFA Acting candidate and makes a very strong debut at the Playhouse.

Isabel Monk Cade makes her Playhouse debut as Gwen’s sister, a free spirit who is the complete opposite of her sibling. This actor works wonders with the physical comedy and comic timing in her fun role.

HanJie Chow makes his Playhouse debut as Nick, a young gay man with a Masters from Yale University who tries to keep the office steady.

Connecticut audiences can “see it here first” at Playhouse on Park, located on Park Road in West Hartford through June 18. There is obviously strong language in the script. The show runs 100 minutes with no intermission. Tickets at PlayhouseOnPark.org.

Nancy Sasso Janis, writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, posts well over 100 reviews each year. In 2016, her membership in the Connecticut Critics Circle began and her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted not only in the Naugatuck Patch but also on 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.

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.