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No Love Lost on Love, Loss…
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From the ninety-five percent female audience to the wrinkly, pink pre-show
backdrop that could very well remind most women of that dress they have crushed up in the deepest recesses of their closet, to the songs chiming through the P.A. system, all of which have something to do with clothes (“These Boots Are Made For Walking”, anyone?), it becomes exhaustingly clear: feminine energy has conquered the Westside Theatre.
Love, Loss, and What I Wore, based on the book by Ilene Beckerman, may be the hottest Off-Broadway ticket in town, and for good reason. Considerable word-of-mouth, due in part to the stage adaptation’s famous authors, Nora and Delia Ephron, has strongly favored ticket sales. The talented all-star cast, which until recently included Rosie O’Donnell, has sealed the deal.
What makes the production special is that it doesn’t only tell one story, as most works do. It tells many stories, all submitted by real women, all about their clothes. What makes the production extraordinary is that it juggles all of the stories powerfully and effectively. The actresses each give all of these pieces their emotional due, and certainly seem to be swept away by them in their own right. They smile, laugh, and sigh along with the audience. The truth of the power of clothes resonates as much with them as it does with us.
This is a production that one can feel good about seeing for many reasons. Every kind of woman, from a Latina gang member to an upper crust East-Sider, gets her say, but more importantly, so do their clothes. The honesty of these experiences and the pluck of the women who submitted them hung my preconceptions of the show out to dry—this is where the staying power is.
The show also gives back. Women who are more blessed than others in the wardrobe department, if they feel so inspired, can donate gently used purses in the lobby of the theatre. In addition, a portion of ticket sales goes to the charitable organization Dress For Success.
The cast included Mary Birdsong, Tyne Daly, Lisa Joyce, Jane Lynch, and Mary Louise Wilson until November 15. It currently includes Kristen Chenoweth, Lucy DeVito, Capathia Jenkins, Rhea Perlman and Rita Wilson, who will wear the pants until December 13. Or the dress. Or whatever they should feel like at the time.
For tickets and other information, visit www.lovelossonstage.com or call Telecharge.com at (212) 239-6200.