The Ladies Who Lunch

Top Girls

If given the opportunity to invite any famous person from history to join you for lunch, just who would you invite? To celebrate her big promotion at the Top Girls Employment Agency, Marlene has chosen a very interesting group of strong, unusually independent women. The Top Girls sitting at this conversational round table provide a fascinating scene of overlapping dialogue about the aspirations of these notable women. Each participant hails from a different locale and time period. Invited to Marlene’s party at this posh restaurant are the mythical female Pope Joan, who achieved her position during the Middle Ages, dressed as a man; the 19th century Scottish author and international explorer, Isabella Bird; Chaucer’s fictional Patient Griselda, from his Canterbury Tales; 13th century Japanese concubine to the Emperor, Lady Nijo; and Dull Gret, or “Mad Meg,” the Flemish peasant woman who invaded hell with a brigade of women warriors, in artist Peter Brueghel’s 16th century painting, Dulle Griet.

This surreal opening scene to Caryl Churchill’s 1982 classic dramatic comedy examines the 20th century Women’s Lib Movement by viewing it through the eyes of one extremely career-driven, independent woman. Marlene is hellbent on becoming a success in the predominantly male-dominated world of business. Told in an unconventional, non-linear fashion, Churchill’s story begins at the end, flashes to the middle, and then ultimately concludes at the beginning, soon after Marlene’s decision to seek her fortune, depart from her small home town and head off to London. She leaves Angie, her illegitimate daughter, to be raised by Joyce, her working class sister, who not only miscarried her own child but was abandoned by her husband. 

By the end of the play, audiences will recognize and recall similarities between Marlene’s Act I luncheon guests and the various other characters in her life. British Playwright Caryl Churchill takes a hard look at what it means to be a “successful” woman and explores the achievements made through the feminist movement. With British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher as her role model, Marlene is a somewhat heartless and seemingly uncaring woman, passionately driven to achieve her own personal success.

Directed with cunning imagination and sharp perception by Lucky Stiff, their production feels natural, vital, creatively insistent and absolutely spot-on for 21st century audiences. Their direction, which focuses on feminism, class and politics, is crisp and flawless and peppered with dynamic characterizations. As the stage is reset for each succeeding scene it’s performed with style and precision. The economical use of the entire venue features a sleek, clean, beige-and-white canvas on which talented scenic designer Joonhee Park displays her art. Their fluid setting opens up a playground of opportunities for the whole cast to stretch their talents.  

Making great use of shadows and silhouettes, the production’s lighted with brilliance and focus by Ben Carne. The play is paced to the beat of Dee Etti-Williams’ wonderfully evocative 1980’s techno sound design, making the production pulsate with feminine fortitude. Costume designer Anna Wooden (assisted by Anna Finerty) has created an array of stunning outfits that are period perfect and also allow for quick changes, when necessary. Paloma Locsin has performed some monumental work with properties, particularly in the opening restaurant scene, with the many varieties of food and drink that’s served. And Eva Breneman’s careful and specific dialect coaching has made all the difference in the actors’ work.

Lucky Stiff’s seven gifted actors, who comprise this ensemble cast, are all excellent. Every character is presented with strength, precision and a biting reality. The diverse TOP GIRLS company, both on- and off the stage, features both cis gender women, trans and non-binary artists. Every individual is strong and commanding in their respective role and position. The cast of actors is led with daring, dignity and drive by Claire Kaplan, as Marlene. A Theatre instructor at the University of Illinois, Ms. Kaplan makes her strong and auspicious Raven debut with this play. The actress provides Marlene with a fine balance of cold-hearted business acumen while offering a continual battle between her conscience and feelings. But as strong as Ms. Kaplan is in this central role, so is every other member of this talented cast.

Extremely versatile and terribly talented Susaan Jamshidi is strong, precise and eloquent, both as the Scottish traveler and author, Isabella Bird, and as Mrs. Kidd, the devoted wife who fights for her husband’s job at the Top Girls agency. She also wrings all the emotion and heart from her portrayal of Marlene’s elder sister, Joyce, as well. Hana Kato’s Lady Nijo is the model of self control and propriety, although she has no trouble continually speaking her mind at the luncheon. Ms. Kato’s portrayal of Win, a contemporary employee at the Top Girls agency, is dynamic and just a little bit catty. Luke Halpern is terrific, both as office employee Nell and as a job applicant, Jeanine. But where they really stand out is as their last-to-arrive luncheon guest character, Patient Griselda. Stalwartly defending a series of unorthodox life choices and demonstrating Griselda’s contentment with the consequences, Luke Halpern is magnificent. 

Morgan Lavenstein is a strong, hilarious and quite captivating Pope Joan, while bringing a sad empathy to her middle-aged would-be employee, Louise. Proving her skill as a talented comedian, Yourtana Sulaiman earns big laughs as the reticent, primitive warrior, Dull Gret. Later she gives a portrayal of young Angie that’s layered, sweetly dynamic, natural and especially heartbreaking. And Collin Quinn Rice does a terrific job, initially as a realistic waitperson in the first scene. Then they achieve plenty of pathos and chuckles as Angie’s confused and needy adolescent friend, Kit. Finally, Collin is simply extraordinary as a young, interviewing employee named Shona.

Caryl Churchill’s comedy classic is most famous for her unique opening scene, during which five famous historical women enjoy a contemporary meal, while discussing the various societal roles for women through the ages. But, largely due to Lucky Stiff’s smartly-produced, well-acted production, the scenes that follow are equally as exciting. This unique and polished production, kicked off by the ladies who lunch, amplifies everything that the playwright has to say about women’s rights, feminism and personal life. Lucky Stiff has made this 44-year-old play feel particularly fresh, funny and fashionably new.

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented February 18-March 22 by Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark St., Chicago.

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling 773-338-2177 or by going to www.raventheatre.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.