Photo credit: Carol Rosegg
Women today enjoy more choices on how they can live their lives more than ever before. This is a right that they have earned over the years. However, when Bernard Shaw wrote Mrs. Warren’s Profession in the late 1800’s, the case against women’s rights was much stricter. The show was banned in Britain for many years because it was considered very incendiary. On opening night in New York City, the entire cast was arrested.
The main character, Mrs. Warren, is a former prostitute who becomes a successful owner of a number of high-class brothels throughout several countries in Europe. That would seem like a good reason to ban a show. But interestingly, it was not for that reason. Instead, it was because it advocated “the notion that a woman would struggle to create a successful life for herself in spite of the constraints set against her by law and society, and thrive without apology” as explained in the play notes. The chance for a woman to live a comfortable life without being married probably upset officials of the time. That type of thinking could throw the entire carefully designed system out of whack and that just should not happen!
Mrs. Warren’s Profession is a grand way for the Gingold Theatrical Group to make its return to live theater. Gingold’s Artistic Director, David Staller directs this rare revival. Mr. Staller has an outstanding group of actors and creatives working with him to present this show. This includes Robert Cuccioli, David Lee Huynh, Alvin Keith, Nicole King, Raphael Nash Thompson, and Tony® Award winner Karen Ziemba as Mrs. Warren. Katya Collazo and Max Roll serve as understudies.
High praise goes to the design team for the brilliant and vibrant set, costumes, and lighting. Creatives include Brian Prather, scenic design; Asa Benally, costumes; Jamie Roderick, lighting; and Frederick Kennedy, sound. April Kline as production stage manager.
The Story Focuses on Perceptions of Women
The story focuses on two women, Mrs. Warren, played by Karen Ziemba and her daughter, Vivie Warren, played by Nicole King. Both Ziemba and King bring a strength to their roles that allows both characters to stand out and above the bickering and fray that eventually appears. Vivie Warren has only heard about her mother. She is preparing to move on from her schooling and is looking for opportunities to make her way in the world. Therefore, she is anxious to meet her mother. Mrs. Warren is anxious to gain acceptance from her daughter.
Traveling with Mrs. Warren is Sir George Crofts. Robert Cuccioli plays this role as he masterfully shows two distinct sides to Crofts. One is a charming side as he tries to win over Vivie to marry him. But the other side is angry and domineering when he does not get his way. The anger stems from the fact that Crofts cannot fathom why Vivie would not want to marry him. It is interesting to watch Crofts trying to court Vivie while Mrs. Warren’s watches. He has been a great help to her in establishing her “chain” of brothels across Europe. But he isn’t interested in marrying her. Instead he focuses on the yet unproven much younger daughter.
Vivie is great friends with Frank Gardner played by David Lee Huynh. There is a youthful innocence in the Frank character which Vivie finds attractive. It appears that they are headed to a love affair until they learn that Frank’s father, the Reverend Samuel Gardner might be Vivie’s father, thus making Frank her half-brother. Raphael Nash Thompson gives that uncertainty to the situation which further confounds Vivie’s ideas on life. In fact, it so confounds her that she gains a new direction and it is not in the conventions of the time.
Vivie goes through much of the play not feeling good about her mother’s style of living and earning a living. However, she comes to some realizations that her mother earned her way in a what was probably the only manner that she had available. This time was long before women would regularly attend college or even have a job. Marriage became the only safe way to live in a world where a woman out of step with the conventions of the time was not welcome.
Mrs. Warren’s Profession is a play that was significant for its time period but it still plays well today even though the notion of a woman having no career choices is not the way things are. However, that overriding aspect of men being in charge is still very much noted today as seen in the number of allegations of sexual harassment cases. The world has changed but not everyone keeps up the pace.
Safety Notes
Play notes say that “All cast, staff, and audience members will be fully vaccinated and every possible safety guideline will be followed.”
The theater facility, Theater Row, requires adherance to CoVid safety precautions as described on their website at this location. https://bfany.org/theatre-row/
Schedule and Tickets for Mrs. Warren’s Profession
Performances take place at Theater Row (410 West 42nd Street between 9th and Dyer Avenues). The performance runs 100 minutes, without an intermission.
The show runs through November 20th.
For more information about Mrs. Warren’s Profession or any of the programs at Gingold Theatrical Group, call 212/355-7823, email info@gingoldgroup.org, or visit www.gingoldgroup.org online.
Inspired by the artistry and activism of George Bernard Shaw, the Gingold Theatrical Group creates theatre and theatre-related programs that promote Shaw’s humanitarian ideals including universal human rights, the freedom of thought and speech, and the equality of all living beings.