Geva's "Women In Jeopardy"

Just about a year ago, I went with several friends to see Women in Jeopardy as part of Geva's Plays in Progress program. It was just a play reading – no costumes or sets or staging, but it was clear even then what a hit it would be. Jenni Werner, Geva's Literary Director/ Dramaturg, explained to the audience that “every play was once a new play,” and that Women in Jeopardy would have its premier in 2015. Wendy MacLeod, the playwright, was on hand to gauge the audience's reaction (we all loved it – it was consistently laugh out loud funny, even in just a reading) and to answer questions: for example, about the inspiration for the plot (a real murder case, although “once you’re into the action, the murder mystery plot device really is secondary to the dialog and relationships”) and the inspiration for the characters (she wanted to write a piece that would feature interesting women of a certain age). Julia Brothers, as the character Jo, was outstanding.

So imagine my delight that she ended up playing the role in this premiere! She was even better than I'd remembered – her face is so expressive, and she really seemed to be Jo. The other actors were also very good, especially Jennifer Cody (who grew up in Greece (the Rochester suburb, not the country...), and is married to actor Hunter Foster) and Scott Rad Brown, another Rochester native.

I went with a group of women friends, but there were lots of men in the audience, and they were laughing just as much as the women. The dialog was very realistic and witty – you could imagine having some of these types of conversations in real life, or wishing that you did. After the show, one friend said this was one of the best shows she's ever seen at Geva – not just the acting, but the direction as well (she did admit she hasn't seen a lot of recent productions...). Many thanks to director Sean Daniels. We will miss him greatly, but wish him success in his new position at the Merrimack Repertory Theatre.

This show is the perfect antidote to winter. Both close in less than two weeks!