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Three Tall Woman
By Edward Albee
Directed by Brian Russell
At Apple Tree Theatre
595 Elm Place
Highland Park, IL
Call 847-432-4335, tickets $35 - $45
Wednesday & Thursdays at 7:30 PM
Fridays at 8 PM
Saturdays at 5 & 8:30 PM
Sundays at 3 PM
Running time is 2 hrs, 15 min with intermission
Through May 21, 2006
Albee’s over written portrait falls flat despite marvelous performances
Seldom to I get bored with a play but Albee’s wordy, slowly paced first act of Three Tall Woman drowned on until I lost interest despite terrific work from three of the finest actor’s in Chicago: Ann Whitney, Barbara Robertson and Jenny McKnight. Thought of as Albee’s attack on his adapted mother, the play is the story of an old lady’s life. We never care about this nasty, racist, hate-filled woman. Act one is a grossly over written glimpse into the lady’s bittersweet life that left me cold. I pity this negative person whose life wasn’t worth me caring about. I would have liked to see act one completely cut since it rambled on without adding much to the play. There is little to engage us in this dark, grim play.
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In act two, we see the lady as---young, middle aged and old utilizing the immense talents of Ann Whitney (old lady), Barbara Robertson (middle aged lady) and Jenny McKnight (young lady). The internal battle to discover one’s self had some clever moments but by that time, I was turned off by the work.
It is too bad that three major talents were strapped with this over rated Edward Albee play. Amazingly, Three Tall Woman won the Pulitzer Prize in 1994. Maybe, I didn’t get this work because I couldn’t care one way or another about this mean, selfish woman? I felt I wasted an hour watching act one of this over-rated play. I think the play is too much of a downer.
Three Tall Woman will be loved or hated by audiences. Albee fans will love it; sophisticated theatre patrons will be split. I didn’t care much for the script but did marvel at the fine work from the three woman. Too bad they had so little to work with. Apple Tree Theatre usually selects better plays.
Somewhat Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed April 30, 2006
Jeff Recommended
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