Out of The Mouths of Babes
Off-Broadway at the Cherry Lane Theatre
Four women gather in the Paris apartment of their now deceased husband, ex-husband, lover (depending which one you are), and find out that he is not the only thing they all have in common. This is outrageous and funny and outrageously funny.
We never quite get the name of the deceased. I can’t be positive but I think it might have been son-of-a-bitch, because that is how the ladies mostly referred to him. This womanizer, a professor at the Sorbonne, would appear to have spent more time making time with his students than anything else.
We first meet ex-wife #1 Evelyn (Estelle Parsons), who really turns out to be ex-wife #2 because there was one before her, and ex-lover Evvie (Judith Ivey) in the Paris living room of the dead son-of-a-bitch. They were both invited for the funeral, but had never met before. Evelyn quickly figures out that Evvie was the one responsible for breaking up her marriage, and they begin taking pot shots at each other. Evelyn says she’s 86 and Evvie says she’s 68. ‘You don’t look 86’, Evvie say’s. Evelyn says ‘you look 68’. And the games begin. When Evelyn asks about her cat Gardenia, Evvie tells her how she came to her end getting too close too a candle flame. The dark comical dialogue continues as they tell each other their stories of love, romance and disappointment in their shared lover until a surprise guest appears. This one uninvited. Wife #3 Janice (Angelina Fiordellisi), who is a tragically depressed woman who has been trying to jump out of a window since she was 12 but can’t seem to get it right, and we continue to laugh as now the three of them try to piece together the past. They find out they are all from Massachusetts, 2 of them are also a twin, and clearly all three of them have never quite gotten over this great love. Finally the last guest appears, and they keep getting younger. Maribelle (Francesca Choy-Kee) is the current lady of the house and widow of the son-of –a- bitch. She is a beautiful and energetic 20 something year old immigrant from Senegal with a thick French accent. It turns out she was the one who invited and paid airfare for Evelyn and Evvie to attend the funeral. She is communicating telepathically with the dead husband, and at times is thrown into a fits from being tickled (and then some) from the beyond. Maribelle finally discloses her wish that all of the women should live in harmony at the flat together, share in the plentiful bounty that was left to her and this would bring the son-of-a-bitch great joy. Will these disagreeable women agree to such and arrangement? It’s going to take a special sign to convince them, and just wait until you see who shows up next.
The living room set (Neil Patel) was very interesting and authentically French. The near floor to ceiling shuddered windows were dramatic, and almost become another character in the play. How clever that real art was used with the playbill containing an art map of all the pieces that included original works by Rosie O’Donnell, Billy Dee Williams and Tina Louise to name a few. There was also some very nice sleepwear, and stylish costumes (Joseph G. Aulisi), especially that worn by the youngest cast member. All of this along with some very nicely infused French Pop music between scenes make this one you will enjoy the whole way through. I wouldn’t have expected less from this experienced cast that includes veterans Parsons and Ivey who really know how to deliver a line. This was just extended through July 31st and runs 2 hours with one 15 minute intermission. For tickets and more information visit http://www.cherrylanetheatre.org/ and you can check for available discounts here.
-Thisbroadsway 6/19/2016