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 Washington Stage Guild does it again with outstanding 

Mrs. Warren’s Profession

None of the characters in  George Bernard Shaw’s Mrs. Warren’s Profession  agree with what  a woman should  do with her life.  

No one will disagree that  the 2022 Washington Stage Guild production makes  it very clear that it is about CHOOSING their OWN  destinies.

First written in 1893,  the play was not performed until 1902  because of government censorship over prostitution. Later the cast and crew were arrested by police in a 1905 performance for violating NYC’s version of the Comstock laws. The police report said it was shocking, but what was upsetting was not the profession (which is never stated)  but that society's treatment of women, that what drove them into that line of  work  should even be in question.


Fast forward to the fight for the ERA, and change in law  that is long overdue, and that guarantees  equal legal rights for all American citizens regardless of sex and ends the legal distinctions between men and women in terms of divorce, property, employment, and other matters.


Michael Rothhaar, who directed WSG’s 1991 production of the GBS didactic

classic,  re-affirms that the issues that the play raises are as true as it when the play first made it to the stage.


Lynn Steinmetz who played  Vivie in WSG’s 1991 production  squares off against Rachel Felstein as her daughter Vivie,   using every emotional string to maintain control of the relationship. Mrs. Warren’s dealings have supported them, but is no longer necessary for survival.

Mrs. Warren has a trio of men behind her.  The establishment of royal titled money men are  represented by Carl Randolph as  the very rich Sir George Crofts.  He is revealed to be more than Mrs. Warren’s  companion, but also her  business partner.  The established church, by R. Scott Williams as Rev. Samuel Gardner, the clergyman who has re-done a 13th century church turns out that he too has a past secret with Mrs. Warren.  Peter Boyer as Mr. Praed speaks for the art and beauty that is to be enjoyed.

While Mrs. Warren fights for her what she thinks is owed to her in  love  and care for as a  mother, Will Rothhaar plays Frank, who presents to Vivie  the possible delight of conjugal love.  Mrs. Warren  struggled in life to make money, but who is still profiting off her investment in the industry. Frank’s money comes and goes from gambling.  He equates love with attraction and affection. 


The characters assemble on a Victorian stage, make their points and throw out clues about past relationships.  Will this fight be resolved—  surely these characters will figure it and solve their  personal dilemmas with one another for a happy ending! 

Not so.  These  hard and real  issues in our relationships  and choices,  are not unlike the sharp generational political and social conflicts that we have heard in the theater of our own homes. 

 These issues won’t be solved soon but this  must see  production of Mrs Warren’s Profession won’t be at the WASHINGTON STAGE GUILD  for long—until  March 27, 2022.  (900 Mass. Ave. NW, Washington, DC, PHONE 202-900-8788)








  


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