Five pseudo-historical, pseudo-literary feminist icons from widely different eras are brought together by a modern-day executive for a dinner party.
This arguably contrived premise is the initial basis for Caryl Churchill’s Top Girls, now being staged by the Fountainhead Theater. The show’s conceit feels rather forced, and continues to puzzle during the second act, when all the main figures are dropped and the action shifts to a present-day story of that same executive and her estranged sister, stubborn niece, and employment agency coworkers.
Despite some solid performances, it is difficult to get past the shaky plot and muddled themes of the play. Fountainhead’s production showcases some fine female talent. Versatile Charlotte Akin, always a pleasure to watch and fresh off her strong turn in Studio Theatre’s The Intelligent Design of Jenny Chow , is meek and reserved as the Patient Griselda, and alternately hardened and cynical as Jeanine in the second act. Regina Acquino shows quick timing and a knowing wit as both the sharp-tongued Lady Nijo and later as the scheming and slightly disturbed teenager, Angie. As Dull Gret, Kate Michelsen’s responsible for the first act’s biggest laughs, though seems a bit less comfortable as a young professional in Act II. And Lynn Audrey Neal is a steady presence throughout as Marlene, host of the dinner party and prime focus of the moden-day tale.
But these assets can’t make up for the script’s many annoyances. Act I, which serves to clue us in on the life story of each of the heroines, features each character talking over the next; the autobiographical tales are often told as if the woman talking is the only person in the room, or played as a frustrating attempt by each woman to one-up the next. Are we supposed to see them as pillars of strength or pity them as victims? It’s never entirely clear. The choice to close Act I with a strange cacophony of wailing and displays of torment from the women is unsettling, but somewhat nonsensical. Each character has moments of authentic emotion and even self-discovery, but these moments alone do not make up a coherent whole.
Top Girls runs through Oct. 1 at Theatre on the Run, 3700 South Four Mile Run Drive, Arlington, VA 22206. Tickets are $20; Saturday matinees are $10. More information can be found on the company’s web site.
