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Overview:

Set in a 1930s Manhattan milieu of idle socialites and gossip, The Women is an opulent and comic play by Clare Boothe Luce. While no men appear in the show, they are grist for the mill in the social circle of Mary Haines and her catty clique of high-society wives (Sylvia, Peggy, Edith). These women (and the aforementioned men) are also grist for those who live to serve them (manicurists, maids, cooks, salespeople, etc.). However, Mary's tidy world is turned upside down when she accidentally learns of her husband's philandering. Crystal Allen, a vicious vixen and ruthless gold digger, has set her sights on Mary’s husband. Against her Mother’s advice, Mary initially plays right into her hands. Eventually, with the guidance and support of certain comrades (the Countess De Lage, Miriam, Nancy) who are more experienced in the art of woman-to-woman combat, Mary decides she won’t give up without a fight. The tale's is a fantasy of a women-only world of glamour, idle pleasures, and raw sexual competition, and has enjoyed a cult following since its debut in 1936.

The forward by Clare Booth Luce is also available.

Schedule:

You can view the schedule by clicking here.

The cast list is available at the Footlight Club's website.

Character Information:

LEAD ROLES

JANE	The Haines’s dutiful and devoted maid
SYLVIA (Mrs. Howard Fowler)	The queen bee of gossip. On the (questionable) edge of what’s trendy and fashionable.
NANCY BLAKE (Miss Blake)	An author and still single woman (and proud of it)
PEGGY (Mrs. John Day)	She has money, her husband does not, she is sweet and very naïve.
EDITH (Mrs. Phelps Potter)	A perpetually pregnant woman, who can’t stand children.
MARY (Mrs. Stephen Haines)	Our heroine who has too much pride to look the other way when her husband strays.
COUNTESS DE LAGE	A never say die, incurable romantic. She’s been married 5 or 6 times.
MIRIAM AARONS	The second Mrs. Stephen Fowler (sorry Sylvia)
CRYSTAL ALLEN	A gold-digging shop girl who sold herself along with the perfume to Stephen and became the other woman.
LITTLE MARY	Mary and Stephen’s young daughter
MRS. MOREHEAD	Mary’s Mother. A wise, warm, and practical woman

FEATURED ROLES

OLGA	A manicurist with a gift of gab
MISS FORDYCE	The Haines’s, somewhat formal, nanny
PRINCESS TAMARA	A fashion model
MAGGIE	The Haines’s cook. World-weary and wise, a down-to-earth philosopher
MISS WATTS	Mr. Haines’ secretary
MISS TRIMMERBACK	Miss Watt’s assistant
EXERCISE INSTRUCTRESS	Unfortunately her ‘students’ are Sylvia and Peggy.
LUCY	The colorful proprietress of a “Reno”vated hotel that caters to women awaiting divorce

ENSEMBLE ROLES

FIRST HAIRDRESSER	SECOND HAIRDRESSER	PEDICURIST
EUPHIE	FIRST SALESGIRL	SECOND SALESGIRL
FIRST SALESWOMAN (Miss Shapiro)	FIRST MODEL (Miss Myrtle)	SECOND SALESWOMAN
A FITTER	SECOND MODEL	A NURSE
HELENE	SADIE	CIGARETTE GIRL
FIRST GIRL	SECOND GIRL	FIRST WOMAN
SECOND WOMAN	DEBUTANTE	DOWAGER
GIRL IN DISTRESS