Attending the play with my husband, a former record company executive, his take was that Gus (Sal Viscuso) hit the nail on the head as the embodiment of the rough and tumble pre-MeToo era.
The play opens with a job interview with Gus,
Abigail (Julie Dretzin)
and
Kaitlyn (Wylie Anderson)
, the wide
-
eyed young college
grad
seeking
to get a toehold in the music business.
While every cliché imaginable is delivered, the exchange rings true to form for anyone who was privy to that scene.
Julie Dretzin's role as the dutiful, unacknowledged assistant, Abigail, as much
in the know
as Gus, is a character is more complex than that of the young Kaitlyn. Challenged with illness, losing her love, hit maker recording artist Cat Wonder, a part played well, but
somewhat confusingly
by Wylie Anderson who manages
the two
roles. Still the play works. Gus gets his comeuppance and Abigail gets his job.
Yet female
rage continues as Kaitlyn and Abigail
seek
to forge a new place for women in the still male-dominated business.
A fine ensemble piece with the three actors solid and sure footed in their roles
filling
the spar
s
e stage, well configured by set designer Amanda
Knehans
.
Worthy of
particular mention
is the sound design by Alysha Bermudez that sets the stage for what will follow.
Although more clarification of the dual Kaitlyn/Cat roles would be helpful, BABE, written by Jessica Goldberg and well directed by Chris Fields is satisfying and
thought-provoking
theatre. A notable undertaking by The Echo Theater Company, this world premiere continues at the Atwater Village Theatre through October 24.