REVIEW: Echo Theatre Company's Regional Premiere of THE SECRETARIES by the Five Lesbian Brothers

The Secretaries is a bizarre play, mixing strange elements and eccentric characters together like something out of a John Waters or David Lynch film. The climax alone features a bevy of women in lingerie covered in blood; an image that evokes the exploitation era of the 1970's. To make it work it requires a very talented and brave cast, and a director who's not afraid to take a risk or two. Happily, Echo Theatre Company's current production fulfills those requirements, providing St. Louis with the regional premiere of this provocative work by the Five Lesbian Brothers (Maureen Angelos, Babs Davy, Dominique Dibbell, Peg Healey and Lisa Kron).

The Cooney Lumber Mill in Big Bone, Oregon (2004) is the setting for this peculiar look at office politics and female empowerment. A group of secretaries, under the guidance of the big boss's strict assistant Susan, seem to be acting more like a cult-ish clique than as fellow employees. They have an odd addiction to Slim-Fast, and giggle and cluck in unison. The arrival of a new receptionist changes the dynamic, and when she's promoted into the pool, things take an even weirder turn.

Amanda Williford is Patty, the new girl on the block, eager to please, but unprepared for the changes about to come her way. Williford is certainly game, diving headfirst into the action with a giddy enthusiasm, despite the shock value some of it contains. Lavonne Byers is a twisted mess as her boss, Susan, carving up the scenery in a role that demands an over the top performance. Julie Layton plays the resident office lesbian, Dawn, and also a lumberjack named Buzz that Patty falls for. Layton makes both characters believable, despite the madness that ensues. Sara Renschen is very good as Peaches, the secretary who's dealing with a weight issue. Colleen Backer amuses with her catty portrayal of Ashley, Susan's favorite until Patty shows up.

Eric Little's direction of this edgy piece features some inspired moments and performances amidst the madness. The many scene transitions slow the pace down quite a bit, but some of that is alleviated by a collection of interesting music choices, and by having the cast continue acting in character as they change the set. Tim Daly's wood-themed scenic design is especially clever, with an oversized file cabinet morphing into a bed, and acting as storage. Maureen Hanratty's moody lighting enhances the overall creepiness.

Echo Theatre Company's production of The Secretaries continues through October 11, 2009 in the ArtSpace in Crestwood Plaza.

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