VIEWPOINTS – In this election year, the Keegan’s timely revival of Wendy Wasserstein’s AN AMERICAN DAUGHTER sadly remains relevant

AAD-098This theater season has fascinatingly seen some uniquely “Washington”-themed productions play DC-area stages. Both Robert Schenkkan’s Tony-winning LBJ bio-play All the Way and Anthony Giardina’s excellent multi-generational Georgetown drama The City of Conversation had successful local premieres (both at Arena Stage). Additionally, Washington National Opera unveiled a revised and expanded version of Philip Glass’s Civil War and civil rights opera Appomattox (an interesting companion piece to All the Way) to great acclaim. WNO is also currently in the midst of presenting the third cycle of Francesca Zambello’s incredible “American Ring”, which uses American iconography throughout its 17 hours of opera. Ms. Zambello’s ambitious mounting marks the first locally-produced staging of Wagner’s mammoth four-opera cycle The Ring of the Nibelung.

Now we have the prolific Keegan Theatre’s timely revival of Wendy Wasserstein’s An American Daughter, which has been solidly directed by Brandon McCoy. Although Wasserstein’s play is very much a period piece (the play takes place in 1990s Georgetown), it sadly remains relevant in this election year. You see, like The City of Conversation, Wasserstein’s play skillfully depicts women in Washington and dissects the realities of being a woman in power. The play concerns Dr. Lyssa Dent Hughes as she struggles against the unexpected backlash she gets from receiving the presidential nomination for Surgeon General. Sound familiar? Things haven’t changed much at all. The Keegan couldn’t have timed its revival better as we all watch Hillary Clinton’s campaign for presidency intensify.

Despite some unevenness in the cast – some actors feel more at home in Wasserstein’s world than others – the potency of Wasserstein’s anger, wit, and compassion thankfully remains undimmed. Luckily, the two characters at the play’s center, Lyssa and Judith (Lyssa’s best friend and fellow doctor), are played with moving truthfulness and sensitivity by Susan Marie Rhea and Lolita Marie, respectively. Wasserstein has given these two fine local actresses great moments to articulate their characters’ dilemmas and internal unrest. Both Ms. Rhea and Ms. Marie beautifully capitalize on these juicy opportunities with aplomb.

RECOMMENDED

 

AN AMERICAN DAUGHTER
Regional, Play
The Keegan Theatre (Washington, DC)
2 hours, 30 minutes (with one intermission)
Through May 28

Categories: Off-Broadway, Theater

Leave a Reply