How to Have It All: The Musical takes its inspiration from Anne-Marie Slaughter’s seminal Atlantic article, “Why Women Still Can’t Have It All.” But where Slaughter’s article stirred a national conversation on the trade-offs women (and men) face in the workplace and at home, it’s a bit unclear what How to Have It All is trying to say, or, uh, sing.
Originally conceived as a series of comedic sketches, the resulting play still maintains a disjointed feel in terms of plot and tone. The audience follows Anne (Alanna Mensing), a harried single mother, as she enrolls in a self-help program meant to how her how to have it all. Anne is coached along by Barbara (Susan S. Porter), a hard-nosed self-promoter who calls to mind Meryl Streep’s character in The Devil Wears Prada. Equally important in Ann’s transformation is Manny (Jose Pineda), Barbara’s spineless, sexually-closeted assistant. Anne endures a makeover and a series of training sessions, from how to handle your mother-in-law to meeting boorish men at a bar. Throughout all these antics, it’s far from clear how these vignettes are supposed to help Anne learn how to “have it all.”
What’s even more perplexing are the songs haphazardly sprinkled throughout the play. All of the performers in How to Have It All are better actors than singers. As an ensemble, they don’t sound half bad, but alas, most of the songs are performed solo. It’s hard to mask vocal weaknesses or insipid song writing when you’re basically going it alone. Even more confusing is the inclusion of a rap number about “boy problems”, as well as some creepy chanting during Anne’s makeover. The actors show a lot of heart, with Porter’s portrayal of the icy Barbara a particularly bright spot. However, the musical elements ultimately detracts far more than it adds, and it’s hard not to wonder if How to Have It All would have been a lot better if it had only tried to do a bit less.
Remaining performances:
Thursday, July 18 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, July 21 at noon
Thursday, July 25 at 5:45 p.m.
At The Shop at Fort Fringe, 607 New York Avenue NW.
