Review: 'Female Transport' by Phoenix Stage Company

Pictured: Teresa Alexandru as Pitty and Jane Coughlin as Winnie in 'Female Transport' Production photos by Ed Bassett & Lori Poulin

Oakville, CT - Phoenix Stage Company is presenting the hard-hitting drama ‘Female Transport’ by Steve Gooch through October 28. The production was directed by Susan Abrams, making her directorial debut for the PSC, and features a cast of ten community theatre actors portraying the well-drawn characters that inhabit a rickety ship transporting women to Britain’s penal colony in present day Australia.

In two acts, the play tells the story of six women convicted of petty crimes in 19th century London who have been sentenced to be transported in the hull of the ship to a life of hard labor. During the six month voyage, they are kept in a cramped cell where they begin to learn certain truths about society. The crew of the prison ship represent the bias of the male dominated class system that has condemned them; by the end of the journey, they have grown unified and into hardened fighters. It is neither happy nor light, but under the deft direction of Ms. Abrams, I found it riveting and very well acted in every scene.

Jane Coughlin (‘A Man of No Importance’) is achingly believable in the role of the would-be matron Winnie. Hayley Kelley played the prisoner Madge in her PSC debut. Teresa Alexandru (‘The Cover of Life’ by PSC) was the emotionally damaged Pitty; Ms. Alexandru will appear in the upcoming ‘Mrs. Bob Cratchit’s Wild Christmas Binge’ at PSC.

Tori Richnavsky (‘The Cover of Life’ and four other PSC productions) took on the role of the saucy Charlotte; Ms. Richnavsky is the board chair of the Connecticut Community Theatre Association and is credited by the director with finding this great piece. Laura Sturges-Cortez (‘The Three Musketeers’ at PSC) played the strong character of Nance. Stacy-Lee Frome made her PSC debut in the role of Charlotte’s partner in crime Sarah.

The men in the cast included Charles Roth as a surgeon who is onboard for the journey. Tony Benedetti (‘Damn Yankees’ at Brookfield Theatre for the Arts) strode about in the role of captain of the ship and Michael Calabrese played Sarge in his seventh production at PSC. Zachary Ruggerio, who was part of ‘Cabaret’ at Naugatuck Valley Community College, played a crew member named Tommy on his first voyage.

Rob Richnavsky kept everyone safe as fight director and Ed Bassett was in charge of the period costumes. Lori Richnavsky served as props master and I saw Brian Elser in his role as deck captain. One of the best sets I have seen on this stage was designed by the director and Mr. Bassett. The lighting designed by Ian Diedrich was moody and supremely effective in every scene. Agnes M. Dann, a founding member of PSC, was the stage manager.

Coming next to the Phoenix Stage Company is ‘Mrs. Bob Cratchit’s Wild Christmas Binge’ by Christopher Durang, directed by Donna Storms. It runs Nov. 24 through December 10, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 3pm. The comedy will run concurrently with ‘Neverland Christmas,’ a one-hour production on Saturdays at 1pm for children and their grown-ups written by Ed Bassett, with music by AJ Bunel and lyrics by Lori Poulin. The musical will be directed by Lucia M. Dressel and will feature Ian (“Ed, find your light!”) Diedrich as Captain Hook and his son Hunter in his PSC debut, as well as Chuck Stango as Smee.There will be juice boxes and free popcorn for the young patrons and oh yeah, I will be there with or without a young child. Call 860-417-2505 for tickets or visit www.brownpapertickets.com