"bitch You Crazy"

Staring The Theatre Company of Ann Arbor, Schorling Auditorium, Ann Arbor June 19

"Nothing that's sexist, nothing that's racist, nothing that's ageist, some energy tonight!" With this high-energy opening theme, the Theatre Company of Ann Arbor took its audience through a kaleidoscope of women in American institutions to show the damaging effects of sex role stereotyping. Sometimes extremely humorous and sometimes angry, the play dealt with the oppression of women from childhood to the grave in terms that struck home.

"Rubyfruit Jungle," written by Rita Mae Brown, showed Molly (played superbly by Stephanie Ozer) fighting her mother's attempts to "make her a lady", which meant staying in the house learning how to cook and clean and being more like Shirley Spidelglass, the insipid "lady" in her grade school class who always had curly hair, a clean dress, and a "yes, maam". The scene culminates in a hilarious school Christmas pageant with Joseph (Shirley) dumping Mary (Molly) on her keister.

"A Tribute to Women in the Working Force," based in part on writings by Studs Terkel, Kathy Kahn (Hillbilly Women) and others, examined the struggle of women fighting sexism in the work force - waitresses fending off horny bosses, seamstresses reorganizing the International Ladies Garment Workers Union, housewives being recognized for their efforts, and black writers struggling to publish.

Perhaps the most powerful scene dealt with "Women in the Medical Institution." Showing drugs and chauvinism as ways of depriving women of knowledge and control of their own bodies, the scene culminates in a dramatic retelling of how a normal childbirth resulted in a damaged infant because of the doctors' disinterest and heavy use of uppers and downers on the mother. This scene also included a humorous spoof of excessive machismo, "The Seven Warning Signs of Testosterone Poisoning."

"Talk To Me About Women's Lib" discussed the special role of black women in the struggle against racism and sexism among supposedly "liberated" black men. Elisa Bryant and Anntarie Sims carried this scene forcefully, closing with "There will be no black revolution without its black women!"

"Don't Just Get Married" dealt with the problems of marriage and included a hysterically funny spoof of dating game t.v. shows called "Catch Him and You Keep Him."

At all times the acting, pacing and choreography (arranged by Stella Mifsud) were superb. The audience was entertained and educated. The play closed with the entire company singing a revised version of "I Shall Be Released". The audience responded with a standing ovation as the cast applauded the audience. It was a beautiful moment. Go see this play!

-Maryanne George