The Archway Studio Presents: The Women @ The Pinup Girl Boutique

Archway Studio Presents: The Women @ The Pinup Girl Boutique. This whole production has a little bit of magic to it.  

A classic, brilliant play set in the 30s with outstanding female roles (and only female roles), all staged in one of the best stores in L.A., The Pinup Girl Boutique in Burbank.

I knew very little about Claire Boothe Luce, the writer of this classic and hilarious play, but after a bit of online research, I can report that she was a pretty incredible woman, a writer, politician, war journalist, conservative feminist, acid wit with ambition, drive and intelligence. Look her up!

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This play was her most successful and it ran and ran and ran on Broadway and beyond for many years.  It was made into a movie in 1939 staring Norma Shearer, Joan Crawford, Rosalind Russell, Paulette Goddard and Joan Fontaine.  It’s not surprising that it would be produced, but it’s a tricky thing, to take such an iconic piece and do it justice.  These fabulous female roles demand the kind of power, sarcasm, wit and nerve that can’t be faked.

The folks at Archway Studio have done a superb job.  They have stayed true to the play and the characters and resisted the obvious temptation to bring it up to date, to modernize or reference our world today.  Because of their determination to truly love the material and commit to the sheer joy of the characters, the story and, above all, the words, this play is hugely successful and an absolute delight.

The costumes are all furnished by the Pinup Girl Boutique and these lucky actresses have dozens of costume changes, each outfit more divine than the last. It’s a brilliant, fun and also human and heart-rending production. 

It’s the age-old story of betrayal…by husbands, by best friends, by our own misplaced loyalties and fears. It’s all here in icy, bitter, sarcastic glory.

Surrounded by the beautiful clothes and immersed in the era of glamour and sass, these players have the perfect place to perform and it really is such a brilliant way to present this wonderful play. Bravo!!  I loved it!

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Everyone is fantastic too. They all look so happy throwing themselves into this play, strutting and wiggling and doing such wonderful work I truly couldn’t stop smiling the entire time. I highly recommend that you waste no time at all, it’s a very limited run, so get your tickets now!!

Running April 6 through April 21 Fridays & Saturdays at 8 pm

The Pinup Girl Boutique, 3606 Magnolia Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505

http://www.archwayla.com

Written by Claire Both Luce
Directed by Steven Sabel

Production Staff

Producing Artistic Director – Steven Sabel

Assistant Director – Angie Robbins

Stage Manager – Masi Hasher

Set Design – Steven Sabel

Scenic Artistry – John Eddings

Specialty Costumers – Pinup Girl Boutique

Costumers – Sarah Morris, Angie Robbins, Krista O. Designs

Stage Crew – Jesse Durant, Ben Cramer

Music Coordinator – Steven Sabel

Graphic Design – Masi hasher

Rehearsal Space – Sally Schaub

ScentSpeare by LABdk – Daniel Krasofski

Cast

Sylvia (Mrs Howard Fowler) – Emily Blokker-Dalquist

Nancy (Miss Blake) – Sommer Branham

Peggy (Mrs John Day) – Sydnee Ortiz

Jane – Michelle Fuentes

Edith (Mrs Phelps Potter) – Hilary Weintraub

Mary (Mrs Stephen Haines – Annie Sabel

Countess de Lange – Mellissa “Mel” Virgo

Hairdresser – EmLee Vassilo

Pedicurist – Nisa Brazeal

Olga – Celeste Martinez

Miriam Aarons – Carolyn Vasko

Miss Fordyce – Heather McConnell

Little Mary – Maia Longhenry

Mrs Morehead – Sally Schaub

1st Sales Girl – Celeste Martinez

2nd Sales Girl – EmLee Vassilos

Miss Shapiro – Alex G. Smith

Miss Myrtle – Nisa Brazeal

Crystal Allen – Sarah Morris

Princess Tamara – Yoanna Nedyalkova

Exercise Instructress – Angie Dobson Robbins

Maggie – Alex G. Smith

Miss Watts – Angie Dobson Robbins

Miss Trimmerback – Nisa Brazeal

Nurse – Alex G. Smith

Lucy – Heather McConnell

Helene – Yoanna Nedyalkova

1st Cutie – Nisa Brazeal

2nd Cutie – EmLee Vassilos

1st Society Woman – Yoanna Nedyalkova

2nd Society Woman – Alex G. Smith

Cigarette Girl – Celeste Martinez

Sadie – Angie Dobson Robbins

Dowager – Heather McConnell

Debutante – Michelle Fuentes