WOMEN WEAR THE PANTS IN THE CLUB

F. J. Hartland

Set in an exclusive men’s club at the turn of the century, Eve Merriam’s The Club is billed as “a musical diversion.”  In fact, it is much, much more.

The Club is the current offering at Off The Wall in Washington PA…and it’s really more of a vaudeville, offering something for almost every taste…there’s barbershop quartet-style singing, ballet, tap dance, minstrel show music, one-liners, bad puns—even an aria!

But the twist in The Club is that these male robber barons of the industrial revolution are all played by women!

It was an era of chauvinism and bigotry…so it’s a real paradox when these “men” say things like, “A gentleman NEVER strikes a woman…unless he’s wearing his hat.”

Directed by Linda Haston (who also performs the role of “Henry”) The Club is a fast-paced, ninety minute entertainment featuring a highly talented cast.  These woman ar not only accomplished actresses—but they have remarkable vocal abilities as well.  In fact, several of the numbers feature vocal “smackdowns” as each “man” tries to outperform the other (as men so often do).

There is simply not a weak link in this brilliant cast that (besides Haston) includes Erika Cuenca, Robyne Parrish, Elena Alexandratos, Diana Ifft and Brittany Graham (as well as Amy Doria as the musical director/pianist, who also gets a chance to sing and act!)

Highlighting the second half of The Club is a rehearsal for the men’s club “Spring Show.”  Besides outlandish costumes and silly songs, the cast performs a hilarious over-the-top melodramatic potboiler by Clyde Fitch (which oddly parallels what is happening in the lives of these men).

The set by Paul A. Shaw is simple—but works well in creating the various locations—and also features a runway that extends out into the auditorium.  Shaw has added just enough touches to remind you that all of this is happening more than a century ago.  Lighting by Michael Moats seemed a little dark in places.  Debi Meny’s costumes are dapper when they need to be—and silly when the script calls for silly.

Deceivingly simple, The Club is actually a very complex and challenging piece of theatre.  And Off The Wall has proven itself well up to the challenge.

The Club continues through May 22.