Still Alice features the same cabaret-style musical numbers
commingled with short comedy routines. Alice, of course, is a
feminist--or at least she's been through a few empowerment courses--and
it's from this sometimes tough, sometimes shaken viewpoint that
she tells us about being a woman in the '90s. Topics such as marriage,
divorce, sex, weight loss, breast cancer, wrinkles and glossy
images of beauty are explored through more than 20 musical and
comedy acts representing at least 26 writers and composers.
Under the musical direction of Jack Nuebeck, the exceptional talent of the five cast members pulls us through several unfortunate choices made by Joan Micklin Silver and Julianne Boyd, who conceived and compiled Still Alice. The worst is a dopey little number called "The Sorghum Sisters," about a jealous country western trio reminiscent of the Mandrell sisters. This bit wandered so far from the topic of feminism and strong, independent women, had I seen it in another setting, I would have dismissed it as sexist crap.
However, the bright spots in Still Alice far outnumber the dull. The most memorable in Act One features the engaging voice of Dawn Veree singing a little gem by Amanda McBroom called "Wheels," a song about unrealized dreams, roads never traveled, and the insatiable yearning of a young soul inside a not-so-young body.
McBroom also provides the highlight in Act Two--a bluesy tune called "Baby," about mothers, babies, drug addiction and hitting bottom, performed with heartrending sorrow by E. Ann Fortune.
And in spite of a flubbed line or two on opening night, Fortune also provides one of the funnier moments of the evening in "Ida Mae Takes a Stance," as she demonstrates the body language needed for survival and communication in today's overpopulated world.
Margy Wilson's bright moment comes in a sweet little number called "So Much Rain," by Craig Carmelia, about a flirtation between a middle-aged woman and a much younger man.
Betty Craig shines in "A Lovely Little Life," a stirring monologue by Steve Tesich reflecting the tearing seams of the seemingly perfect life of this wife and mother.
The fifth cast member, Yolanda Hovey, an exceptionally talented young actress and singer, brings charm and vivacity to any number. She makes us laugh in the Hispanic version of the Jenny Craig weight loss program--Juanita Craig, who tells us that the fastest way for gringo women to lose weight is to drink plenty of tap water from Mexico--and even succeeds in putting some fun into another insipid, irrelevant piece, "Sensitive New Age Guys."
Still Alice attempts some social commentary with several bits--sometimes successfully, sometimes not. Veree performs a poignant piece called "Once and Only Thing," about unprotected sex. Other numbers touch upon subjects such as abortion, single motherhood, the political climate and glass ceilings.
All in all, the cast of Still Alice, pulled together by Claassen, has so much depth that they glide through the play forcing us to enjoy even the weakest numbers in a way that makes us sorry to see this IT season end and anxious for the next to begin.
Invisible Theatre's production of A...My Name is Still Alice continues with performances Wednesday through Sunday through June 18. Invisible Theatre is located at 1400 N. First Ave. at Drachman. Ticket prices are $12 to $15. For times and reservations call 882-9721.
