Review: NIGHT WITCHES Fails to Take Wing

Say what one will, the opening was bone chilling and held forth the promise of a thrilling evening. This tour de force production made use of evocative physical theatre effects, minimal production elements, and wonderful staging by Kathleen Anne Hefferon but failed to overcome its soggy script. Created by Madeline Barr, Elizabeth Chahin, Josephine Cooper, Alida Rose Delaney, Alexis Ingram, Elena Kritter, and Maggie Ronck with dramaturgy from Max Sklar, the main problem with NIGHT WITCHES was its relentless aura of summer camp happiness.

NIGHT WITCHES tells the story of an all-female regiment of Russian pilots during World War II. In watching this production, one marveled at the physical rendering while sitting in extreme discomfort with the radically inappropriate performing style. These actors seemed better suited for OKLAHOMA rather than a gritty portrayal of war. Curiously, their dialogue - which could have been lifted directly from any coming of age movie for the tween set - supported this idea of easy going even as the plot demanded otherwise. That these women were meant to be Russians who have volunteered to defend their homeland against Nazis during The Great War - despite familial and gender biased opposition - failed to register.

It is true that people will find a reason to show cheer despite dire circumstances, but these actresses seemed allergic to believably conveying even the slightest pitfall of war. Aside from Elena Kritter, as a mechanic whose dreams of flying are thwarted by her technical prowess, none of these performers seemed to understand the concept of the Russian soul: deep sorrow that motivates every action. Instead one would have thought that fighting the Germans was fun, equal to such past times as wearing makeup or meeting cute boys.

This stands in stark contrast to the themes of sexism, survival, national pride, and - once again - war that were fully present in the plotting. Sitting through NIGHT WITCHES, one imagined that the authors wrote from the perspective that "Girl Power" began and died with the Spice Girls. The concept was great; the costuming, lighting, set, staging, and direction were all excellent. And that is what frustrates most: how on earth did Hefferon pull together such a splendid theatrical event and end up with performers incapable of summoning the necessary gravitas?

Because the production is fantastic, one hopes that this casting issue can be overcome. The performers, all talented singers, work hard but as a company are simply ill-equipped to perform the emotions required of them.

NIGHT WITCHES was presented by Ground Rush Productions at The Muse and Dixon Place. For more information, visit: night-witches.com