Eclipsed by Danai Gurira at the Unicorn Theatre

I knew "Eclipsed" was going to be brilliant, and difficult to watch, but I was not prepared. This story sits in your bones and makes you consider all the wars women fight across the world, and the fights the women of Liberia have had to wage.

The story follows the wives of a commanding officer. The wives were taken during raids, and the play pulls no punches regarding murder, rape or war crimes. What is different is all of the story is told from the point of view of the women, women whose very identities and names are wiped out due to war and man's whims. All of the actresses were amazing, but Teisha M. Bankston was a powerhouse. It was amazing to watch her transformations.

Women Playing Hamlet - Part 2

I cannot get over Women Playing Hamlet at The Unicorn. I was at work the other day and I started laughing, and my coworker asked what was going on. I just mentioned I was laughing about the show that I'd seen.

The week before.

This show was everything a theatre production should be. Funny, well executed, a set and costumes that seamlessly worked to convey the entire message. Every actress (yes, all women!) was on point for every minute of the play. The audience was engaged the entire time.

The actresses: Katie Karel, Kathleen Warfel, Cathy Barnett, and Meredith Wolfe were dazzling as they jumped from character to character or from scene to scene. It was breathtaking to watch. 

The men's roles were played by these women, but it was not performed in a caricature fashion. Underneath the humor was a story of heart and an examination choices we must face as artists. Do we go for the difficult choice, to play Hamlet? Or do we go to the sure thing, to act on a daytime Soap?

You do have one easy choice. Whether or not to see this show. You have to go. There are still nights that are 'pay what you can' that are open on the calendar, so there is no excuse.

May your Hamlet handbag fall apart in the wash and your drama teacher drown you in scarves if you miss this show.

Women Playing Hamlet - The Unicorn

I will post a more detailed review tomorrow, but I feel like I'm going to bawl over this play. If you are a woman in theatre you have to see this. This is not optional. 

This play touched on so many struggles that female artists face. This play was hilarious, but it gave a lot of substance to women's roles in theatre and how they are viewed undertaking this role, and the women who've played Hamlet before. The cast was four women, all of whom switched roles (except the lead), and the women played the men's parts. They mentioned Patrick Stewart frequently and Benedict Cumberbatch once. It was like Christmas!! 

I can't get over how within a week I've seen two shows in Kansas City with great roles for women. We really are a lucky town. Go see Black Pearl Sings at The Spinning Tree and then watch Women Playing Hamlet here at the Unicorn. You will see some of the most talented and diverse talent in Kansas City, in addition to being treated to two new plays. This town is amazing. New York ain't got nothing on us. 

 

Jessie Salsbury

Brick Street Theatre

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