The world premiere of All These Women, a new historical drama written and directed by Melanie MacQueen, opens Friday, October 3 in the Mary Levin Cutler Theatre at Theatre 40 in Beverly Hills. It examines the almost insurmountable struggle women faced to get the right to vote in America. And though set more than a century ago, national conversations around voting rights continue to this day.
Taking place in 1913 when women in America had been fighting for suffrage since 1848, All These Womencenters on a dedicated group of suffragettes who hope new Democratic President Woodrow Wilson, now presiding over a Democratic Congress, means it’s time for women to win the right to vote. Hopes are high until a World War looms, and divisions among the women threaten to unravel it all. And with the right to vote hanging in the balance, they must decide just how far they are willing to go.
Featured in the cast are April Audia, Todd Andrew Ball, Jessica Kent, Dan Leslie, Lary Ohlson, Anica Petrovic, Michele Schultz, and Kristin Towers-Rowles. Cast alternate is LeeAnne Rowe, assistant to the director. The production is produced by David Hunt Stafford for Theatre 40.
The creative team includes assistant director LeeAnne Rowe, sound designer Joseph “Sloe” Slawinski, projections by Gabrieal Griego, hair/wig/makeup design by Judi Lewin, lighting design by Derrick McDaniel, and costume design by Michael Mullen.
All These Women brings renewed urgency to a century-old story of resilience, resistance, and hard-won change. Make plans to be in the audience October 3 through October 19 on Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. at Theatre 40 in the Mary Levin Cutler Theatre, on the campus of Beverly Hills High School at 241 S. Moreno Drive, Beverly Hills 90212. Ample free parking is available via the entrance at Durant and Moreno Drives. Tickets run $35 plus service fees, available by calling (310) 364-0535 or online at http://theatre40.org
Originally conceived by Harvey Fierstein as three one-act plays combined and staged as Torch Song Trilogy in 1981, the show went on to win two Tony Awards in 1983, including Best Play and Best Actor in a Play for Fierstein himself. In 2017, the play was revived with a streamlined script condensed into two acts, titled simply Torch Song which opens at the Morgan-Wixson Theatre in Santa Monica on Friday, September 26.
The updated version explores two pivotal moments in the life of Arnold Beckoff, a Jewish drag performer navigating love in New York City. In the first act, he falls for Ed Reiss, a man struggling with his bisexuality. The tension between them ultimately drives Ed to leave Arnold and pursue a conventional relationship with a woman. One year later, old wounds resurface when Ed and his partner invite Arnold and his new boyfriend, Alan, for a weekend visit.
The second act picks up years later, with Arnold now a single father raising a teenage son, David. As he continues to navigate his complicated connection with Ed, he must also confront his mother’s disapproval and ingrained prejudices during her visit from Florida.
With equal parts humor, heartache, and humanity, Torch Songis a timeless story of self-acceptance, resilience, and the families we build. Directed by Jeffrey Lesser, the play features (in order of appearance) Michael Mullen as Arnold, Harrison Hume Smith as Ed, Amanda Meade-Tatum as Laurel, Stephen Gregg as Alan, Arnaldo Andres as David, and Paige Morrow Kimball as Mrs. Beckoff.
Produced by Ann Villella, Emily Walker serves as Production Stage Manager, with Andrew Chorbi as Assistant Stage Manager. Ariella Salinas Fiore is the Intimacy Choreographer. The creative team also includes Michael Mullen as Costume Designer, Ella Nelson as Lighting Designer, and Melody Rivers as Scenic Designer. William Wilday serves as both Set Designer and Technical Director for the Morgan-Wixson Theatre.
Harvey Fierstein’s Torch Song opens at the Morgan-Wixson Theatre, 2627 Pico Blvd. in Santa Monica on September 26 through October 12 on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Adults $32, Seniors & Students $27, available online at www.morgan-wixson.org or by calling the box office (310) 828-7519. Easy, free parking is available a block west of the theater, with many excellent restaurants within walking distance. Parking is also available on meters and in the neighborhood; please read parking signs carefully.