LADY DAYS // A THEATRE REVIEW OF "DEBUTANTE"
In a world much like our own (but with, you know, much more TAB Soda) three girls await their turn to walk as Debutante’s at the annual ball. In a world much like our own (but with, you know, more Dynasty reenactments) an unmarried woman clings desperately to the dreams she held dear and is quite ready to live through these new recruits (as shabby as they may be). And in a world, much like our own (but with, you know, more Jazzercise and pointy shoes) a boy with the grace of a gazelle will inch closer and closer to the dreams he wishes he could grasp for himself. Welcome to the 1980’s high society. Welcome to DEBUTANTE.
Ryann Weir’s hysterical and heartwarming new play Debutante follows three misfit heiresses as they attempt to make so many generations before them proud at the Debutante ball. Former Debutante (and currently single) Ms. Peasgood (Liza De Weerd) is there to guide them into the ball, coaching them with their manners and charms. But she’s got her work cut out for her this year. Barbara (Keilly McQuail) is ready to volunteer and incredibly good with “stillness.” She does, however, question why she can’t do things like help out her maid Sylvia (Lena Hudson) with chores and desperately misses her late mother. Frankie (Anna Abhau Elliott) is a true tomboy and is only here because of her horse (that old story). Finally there’s Brenda (Elizabeth Alderfer), Barbara’s self-proclaimed rival who is desperately bored and obsessed with re-enacting Dynasty’s most dramatic moments. Not only do they have the Debutante ball to worry about, but Brenda’s love interest Bill (Ben Otto) is suddenly threatened by the appearance of an Indian Bad Boy in the guise of Mirza (Eshan Bay). How will these girls survive their first world problems? In an incredibly clever and hilarious way, that’s how.
Director Annie Tippe and Playwright Ryann Weir have truly created a unique and special show here. It lovingly pokes at the Debutante world without scorching it, and fills it with a ridiculous group of characters. Elizabeth Alderfer can reduce the audience to a laughing fit from a simple glance. In lesser hands, Brenda could be a villain, but in Alderfer’s grasp she embodies her with not only a crazy streak but true reliability as well. The Dynasty reenactment with Mirza is howlingly funny and was met with a splatter of instant applause the night I saw it. Anna Abhau Elliott toes gracefully between her character’s huge comic moments and a true understanding of her love for her horse. As Barbara, Keilly McQuail has the strongest storyline, both funny and sad. She’s a girl who misses her mother desperately and really just wants to be a normal, everyday girl. When her Grandmother Edna (Rochelle Slovin) throws away all of her Mother’s things, she embodies heartbreak and sadness with a realness that, if you’re like me, will bring a tear to your eye. McQuail is a gifted actress whose surefire performance is the glue to this already wonderful piece. All three actresses possess a gift for comedy and each work wonderfully with quirky delivery and sharp comic timing. Ben Otto’s jock Bill also provides some of the biggest laughs of the evening, with a sharp and manic performance. The rest of the ensemble (Eshan Bay, Ronald Alexander Peet, Rochelle Slovin, and Lena Hudson, Liza de Weerd) also turn in great moments throughout.
Even if you have no prior knowledge of Debutante balls (as I did not), Weir & Tippe’s uproariously funny comedy will enchant you. Sadly, their current production is now closed but if you didn’t get a chance to see this sold out run (or even if you did), pray to the God’s of the 80’s Molly Ringwald and Ralph Macchio that a new production will come our way soon. Off-Broadway needs a Debutante ball this damn funny.
MATEO’S GRADE: A
Created and Directed by: Annie Tippe Written By: Ryann Weir Starring: Keilly McQuail, Elizabeth Alderfer, Anna Abhau Elliott, Ben Otto, Ronald Alexander Peet, Liza de Weerd, Lena Hudson, Rochelle Slovin, Eshan Bay. Content Advisory: Language Photo Credit: Bailey Carr
BOTTOM LINE: Should you see it? You can see a lot in New York Theatre. But what you find here, that you may not find everywhere, is that you can relate to each one of these characters; as a mourning daughter and an athlete and a basket case a princess and a transfer student, possibly a criminal. Does that answer your question? See it the second you can. Sincerely yours, The Debutante Club.