Royal Family Productions ignited the stage of the Regina A. Quick Center on Monday, November 4 in a one night fundraiser at Fairfield University, written and directed by Chris Henry. Based on stories she collected, all universal, true and factual from friends, family and neighbors, the evening featured women, all artists in theater, who represented a wide variety of socio-economic and cultural backgrounds. Lorna Ventura created original choreography to weave a tapestry of movement surrounding each piece with dramatic nuances and flames, on a stage designed by Cheyenne Sykes, with sound designed by Chet Miller, and original music composed by Lars Jacobsen. The entire production was overseen by Cheryl Wiesenfeld.
To Wiesenfeld, this documentary piece is about “changing the world one theater goer at a time. The intention is to lift the curtain on these issues to generate a discussion.” After having produced two plays at Fairfield University, “Cell” about immigration treatment and “Gun Country” about weapon prevalence, she wanted to tackle another social concern this time centering on women. With the encouragement of Peter Van Heerden the Executive Director of the Quick Center, the project was on its path. In the spring, at the Quick, her next installation will be “Right Before I Go,” letters by victims contemplating suicide.
To shine a light on these “raw, vital issues that plague us personally, to change the landscape, to make us stronger and better at looking at ourselves, to hear each other and to light a fuse for change” are all powerful social platforms in Cheryl Wiesenfeld’s mind.
“Women on Fire: Stories from the Frontlines” was born out of Chris Henry’s anger and frustration over the political news accounts she viewed nightly on television. Her response was to create a series of monologues, focusing on the female perspective to the #MeToo movement, emotional abuse, victimization, suicide, anti-Trump sentiment and a list of other female-centric topics.
This troupe of talented actresses are incensed and ready to ignite with outrage. How dare Bill Cosby destroy his pedestal perch as America’s favorite father to become a sexual predator, much like a fall from grace by Bill Clinton and a Donald Trump. Timely and important, each woman’s story focused on another aspect of vital global issues that showcase the imperfections of our world. We need to become better as a people and a society and work to change their impact.
Hearing these stories caused the heart to leap and jump, with outrage and a need for action. According to Kathleen Chalfant, there’s something wrong in the state of Denmark, as Shakespeare noted, but even more wrong right here. How could children be put in cages and separated from their parents, letting five precious lives be lost? She wants a ”do over” for the last election.
In other stories, a sorority hazing is laid bare for its brutal exposures, “The Handmaiden’s Tale” is examined for its crazy police state mentality, a Latino girl protests that no one will touch her without her express permission, a woman labeled a Deplorable asserts her right to be safe, while another woman stated that life is a three ring circus without a net and definitely not a cabaret.
A graphic picture emerged of a woman forced to commit sexual favors as if she were a sex doll while another spoke of the pornography controlled by men where women are denied any pleasure as if they were a “weed” in a poisoned garden. Idols are exposed for their lack of compassion, their no need to excuse or apologize for their behavior, similar to Roman Polanski who lost his artistic status due to his outrageous actions with a thirteen year old girl child. How Castro destroyed Cuba was explored, and even if you escaped to Miami you were likely to be treated like an animal.
What is the irony if a woman who miscarried six children ends up raising a daughter who wants an abortion? How do you convince her that every baby is a miracle? What would you say to sexual abuses like Louis C.K., Sean Penn, Clarence Thomas and new Associate Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh?
In addition to Kathleen Chalfant, the impassioned speakers included Yassmin Alers, Gina Naomi Baez, Maddie Corman, Lynn Craig, Rosa Curry, Kelly Deadmon, Evelyn Howe, Steffanie Leigh, Gargi Mukherjee. Portia, Yllka Gashi, Constance Shulman, Dale Soules and Lianah Sta. Ana. The skilled dancers included Gracie Anderson, Kiersten Foster, Maia Eugene and Camri Hewie.
The message is we must do something. A revolution is coming. We cannot sit silently. We must fight. We must roar. We are fierce female warriors on a mission.
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