A Memorable World Premiere at Bay Street Theater: "The Forgotten Woman"

Bay Street Theater, in historic Sag Harbor, is spectacularly ringing in their 25th anniversary season with the world premiere of "The Forgotten Woman," by Jonathan Tolins.

For a playwright, like myself, nothing thrills me more than to be at the opening night of a never before seen play, and this smart, well-written play didn't disappoint. Let me take a moment to mention how much courage and conviction it takes nowadays for a theater to produce a new play. Bravo and a standing ovation go out to Bay Street's Artistic Director, Scott Schwartz and to Tracy A. Mitchell, Executive Director, for supporting emerging playwrights.

Jonathan Tolins, a Brooklyn-born playwright, isn't new to the theater scene. Some of you might remember his Off-Broadway hit, "Buyer and Cellar," a comedy about a wannabe actor, who takes a job working at Barbra Streisand's woman cave situated in the basement of her Malibu estate.

Mr. Tolins latest work puts him in the category of “Playwrights to Keep Your Eyes On.” This contemporary play is funny, thought-provoking, and well-crafted. It’s a two-act play, with an intermission, a rarity in 21st century theater, since many newer plays are written in a long, one-act form. As a playwriting major at the University of Connecticut back in the 1970’s, we were taught the traditional three-act structure with one-acts reserved for much shorter plays. Economic realities and the need to accommodate today’s audiences accustomed to sitting straight through movies, contributed to the the creation of the 90 minute one-act play form so prevalent in modern day theater.

"The Forgotten Woman," is aptly directed by Noah Himmelstein, and stars Ashlie Atkinson ("The Wolf of Wall Street") and Darren Goldstein.

Set at the turn of the 21st century, a few years after 9-11, this play deals with the struggles and the love/hate relationship that artists have with their craft and poses the big questions, such as: Why do I do this? Should I keep doing it? What would my life be like if I had chosen another path? Why should I care so much what others have to say about me and my art? When will I learn to make art for art sake without worrying about the outcome?

Ms. Atkinson gives a stellar performance as the anxiety-ridden, talented soprano, Margaret Meier, whose volatile career has been anything but diva-like. Like so many American born and bred women, Margaret obsesses about her weight, and her critics are always the first to point out her less-than-ideal-body image. Her self-deprecating fat jokes throughout the play are painful to listen to, and her recollection of singing her heart out during a blackout, when no one could see her; therefore, she could shine, reminded me of the many times in my own professional life when I was uncomfortable in my own skin.

Fireworks flare when a cocky reporter named Steve (Darren Goldstein, who we love to hate on "The Affair") arrives at Margaret’s Chicago hotel room ready to interview her, although he knows nothing about opera, and he makes it plain and clear from the getgo: He hates the art form. Margaret immediately recognizes him as her high school heartthrob, and the chemistry and friction between the two of them becomes the engine that drives the play forward.

The rest of the ensemble includes Mark Junek (“The Outs”) as Erick, an openly gay man, who works for Margaret's management firm, and Robert Stanton (“The Coast of Utopia”) as Rudolph, Margaret's less-than-loving husband and vocal coach. Both of these men are very believable in their respective roles. Justin Mark, ("Gotham") an up-and-coming young actor, plays the role of the brazen bellhop, who dreams of one day writing film scores, but meanwhile, loves meddling in the hotel guests’ business and eating their leftovers. At times, he steals the show with his charm and charisma, as he pops in and out of the play at opportune moments.

The excellent production team includes, Tim Mackabee, Set Designer, David Lander, Lighting Designer, Jess Goldstein, Costume Designer, Elisheba Ittoop, Sound Designer, Andrew Diaz, Prop Design, Meg Murphy, Hair/Wig Designer, and Jennifer Wheeler Kahn, Production Stage Manager.

The audience, up on their feet at the end of the play applauding and howling, confirmed my suspicions that “The Forgotten Woman,” will not be forgotten anytime soon, by me or by anyone else for that matter.

The play is running until June 19th. For ticket info call the Box Office at: 631-725-9509 or visit there web site at: http://www.baystreet.org/

(Photo by Lenny Stucker)

Cindi Sansone-Braff, The Romance Whisperer, talks to the dead to show you how to live well and love better. She is an award-winning playwright and has a BFA in theatre from the University of Connecticut. She is the author of Grant Me a Higher Love and Why Good People Can’t Leave Bad Relationships. Visit her web site at: http://wwwgrantmeahigherlove.com