Elizabeth Aspenlieder: Save the Date
Last Chance to See Shakespeare & Company Hit
By: Charles Giuliano - Mar 01, 2009
We were out of the country when "Bad Dates," the one woman show by Theresa Rebeck, opened in January at Shakespeare & Company. When we got back we were sick for a month so only this past weekend saw Elizabeth Aspenlieder in the boffo, blockbuster hit directed by Adrianne Krstansky.
Just in the nick of time as it turns out since the show will end its winter run on March 8. This is a not to be missed Berkshire event during the otherwise endless winter and its cabin fever.
When the show was in rehearsal my colleague Larry Murray and I dropped by in the enormous studio of the Evelyn P. Bernstein theatre complex to chat with Elizabeth and her director, Adrianne, a member of the faculty of Brandeis University. We both wrote previews and Larry reviewed the show when it opened in mid January.
All of the reviews have been fabulous and this may indeed by Aspenlieder's greatest ever performance; which is saying a lot for such a gifted actress. Even in small roles she always lights it up on stage at Shakespeare & Company. After this star turn, and sensational reviews, one wonders how long we can keep her in the Berkshires. Mr. DeMille, she's ready for her close-up.
Looking around the mostly sold out audience for the Saturday matinee there weren't a lot of guys. And most of the women were past the age of dating. We chatted with a currently single woman and she definitely got the jokes of all those horrendous dates. We were falling off our seats through most of the performance. I have a middle aged male friend who has been dating for the past couple of years. Often I am privy to the details. More than I want to be actually. I just wish I could get him to see this play and hear it from the female point of view. Particularly on "Bad Dates" there are definitely two sides to the story.
When I read the brilliant Rebeck script, and caught a few glimpses of the rehearsal, I wondered how Aspenlieder would bring those hysterical lines to life. During the performance I found myself anticipating the next scene and its punch line. In this case, however, knowing the plot didn't get in the way of enjoying the performance. It actually helped as I found myself astonished by all that Aspenlieder, and the brilliant directing by Krstaksny, brought to the production that was not in the script. Particularly the sight gags, mugging, groovy moves, and physical comedy.
It was astonishing to comprehend Aspenlieder's frenetic movement and energy. Krstansky has her in a state of perpetual motion. There is never a pause as she keeps up a two hour monologue through constant costume changes as she bounces around like a squash ball in the confines of her New York apartment. Now and then she is out in the hall asking the opinion of her daughter on this or that outfit or pair of shoes.
Maybe it's a chick thing but Haley Walker, who moved up from waitress to running a small upscale restaurant, has some 400 pairs of shoes. None, or few of which, actually fit or don't inflict excruciating pain. She is constantly asking us "Don't you think these are cute?" Or whether a skin tight, purple cocktail dress makes her look too "slutty?" Well, yes, actually.
In the intimate setting of the theatre, one could literally reach out and touch the actress. Astrid thought it was courageous that she spent the evening so exposed. Most of the time, while trying on endless outfits and their accessories, she wears a skimpy teddy. In baring her heart and soul in this performance Aspenlieder leaves nothing to the imagination.
Pity that more guys don't come to this show other than as spouses and dates. There is much to be learned by this hilariously insightful play. Like the myth that girls want romance and guys just want sex. Well, yes and no. Haley is up front in telling us that she would like to get laid. But also, yuk, cringes that some guy stuck a tongue down her throat after a bad date just because he paid for dinner. On another date with a gay guy, set up by her mother, Haley gets so angry that she stiffs him with the bill even though they dine in her own restaurant. While a cute, tenured, law professor from Columbia, he mostly ignored her but flirted with the waiter.
As a woman whose clock is ticking Haley just wants Mr. Right but seems to be looking in all the wrong places. In a hilarious conclusion, when she ends up in a heap of trouble, the long ago rejected Bug Guy turns out to be her Zen Lawyer and not so bad after all. So bad dates are actually not that bad and good dates can go terribly bad.
All of which made me glad not to be dating. Although Astrid and I enjoy going out on "dates." Like seeing "Bad Dates" followed by a romantic dinner in a cozy bistro. But, definitely, dates turn out a lot better when you're married. For single people, like the unfortunate Haley, it's a jungle out there.
Fair warning, this is your last chance to catch "Bad Dates." Even you guys. I haven't had this many laughs since "Vagina Monologues." Hey, just kidding.