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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (April 6, 2001)
aprii 6.2001 * THEUTER ..........v.......... Using the real T word hoever said feminist humor is an oxy moron obviously never saw Melinda Pittmans 2001 musical comedy odyssey, Wonderbroads. Winner of the Oregon Book Award for Best Drama, this production brings to life the “sheroes” of the 20th century. Through the magic of suspended disbelief, it places them all in the same place at the same time so they can share ideas, songs and the occasional soft-shoe. The story goes something like this: W hile seeking solace in a difficult-to-open bottle of Odwalla juice, some of the women of Lilith Fair bemoan the turn their careers have taken since that festival ended. W hen the bottle finally gives up the ghost, it does so literally, and out pops Lilith— you know, Adams first gal pal, the one before Eve, later dissed as a hag, witch, les bian, etc. She then introduces the other fair women to the likes of Susan B. Anthony (who, incidentally, calls a rollicking square dance), Mother Jones, Carrie Nation, Margaret Sanger, Gloria Steinem and special guest goddess Xena. Famous lesbians abound as Babe Didrikson Zaharias outs herself in a hilarious version of Sonny and Cher’s “I’m the True Babe.” Leader of the pack Pittman emerges as Marie Equi, radical lesbian physician of Portland herstorical notoriety, who often was harassed and jailed for administering health care to union women and men in the early part of the past century. W hen supershero Hillary Rodham Clinton conjures up Eleanor Roosevelt from her Ouija board, they commiserate on the difficulties sur rounding being strong, independent, politically vocal first women. Later, when Eleanor gets broadsided by pointed questions regarding her [You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll meet girls! by L yn n T hom as Ylelinda Pittman (center) wears most of the hats in W onderbroads female secretary/companion/lover, she utters the immortal words, “Don’t ask don’t tell,” which leads to a fabulous interruption by Mar- garethe Cammermeyer singing the old Fred Astaire standard, “W on’t Tell, Don’t Ask Me,” complete with tap-dancing military types. The show also has serious moments: a song that tells the plight of migrant farmworkers and one that portrays the story of Julia Butterfly and her fight to save a giant redwood by living in it. Marian Anderson singing from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial is also quite moving. Pittmans original song “America” shows all the hope and despair of the immigrant experience. Wonderbroads also includes a tribute to Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and when Fannie Lou Hamer tells off President Bush, we are all right behind her. Producer/director/writer/performer Pittman has worked in professional theaters from the Oregon Shakespeare Festival to the Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. She has directed pieces as diverse as You Can’t Take It with You, Passion and The Breasts ofTiresias. In 1984, Pittman wrote her first full-length play with music, Atlantis. She joined the Angels (now Angels DotComedy) in 1985 and began writing, directing and perfonning topical satiric comedy revues and musicals, including Paradise Fbssed and It’s a Jungle Out There. Portland actor and original Wonderbroad Sharon Mann returns for this, the second incarnation of Wonderbroads. Joining them are some of the area’s finest talents, including Portland musical comedy star Rebecca Kimball, rising singer-songwriter sen sation Jude Hill, emerging artist Audra Gandy, choreographer and singer Yolanda Lopez, Port land Comedy Sportz founder Amy Gray and Australian diva Selma Chook. Also, from the original production, featured pianist Tom Ten Eyck returns along with guitarist Greg Scholl. “Wonderbroads is a show about where we’ve come from and where we’re headed,” Pittman says. “We sing and dance and tell jokes, all the while honoring our foremothers and all the fore play they wished they had before we got here.” She adds: “This is our story, all of our stories. These may be famous women we are portraying, but Wonderbroads is really about the lives of ordi nary women and how we all change the world.” T h e show is a fast-paced, furiously funny musical comedy. It’s also a fabulously enter taining and educational look at women who made a difference. Very few musicals are by, for and about wom en. And even fewer use the “f” word (feminist) so unapologctically while managing to maintain that precarious balance of dignity and levity. JH W o n d erbro ad s plays 8 p.m . through April 14 the Hollywood Theatre, 4036 N .E . Sandy Blvd. Tickets are $20 at the door or $18 in advance through the Angel Box Office at 503-288-5181 or Fastixx at 503-228-8499. L y n n T hom as is a Portland free-lance writer and musician. Sunday, April 15, 2001 æafe# Served in the Minoan Room Carving Station Fresh Seafood Waffles Station Leg of Lam b, Prim e Rib, Pork Loin an d Pt Ham Shrim p, M ussels and Sm oked Salm on With Flavored Syrups and Toppings Made to Order Omelets & Pasta Station Assorted Garden Fresh Salads Assorted Desserts Make Your Reservations Now. 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