What does it mean to be wife material? Is it that outdated view of a housewife where women’s magazines provided tips to make you keep your man like...
Don’t tell him about your problems, but always be attentive to his…
Always have dinner on the table when he gets home from work…
Always look your best, make sure to keep your figure…
The list goes on and on telling women all the ways to be “wife material.” Fast forward to today where we have a significantly different point of view. Enter Jamie Shriner who explores her life and what it means to be WIFE MATERIAL.
Underscore Theatre Presents One Woman’s Sexual Exploration
Entering the theatre we’re treated to a realistic looking bar with neon lights, traffic signs, and posters plastered over all the walls. A band sits in the corner prepping for the start, while upbeat, empowering music plays over the speakers like Water Me by Lizzo and Woman by Kesha.
The lights come down and a bride in a bright white, sparkly, tea-length gown appears and starts her opening song, Mrs. Biddle expressing her happiness at just being married. Suddenly, her phone starts ringing and this newly-wed finds it’s her self-doubt calling. She wonders if this was the right choice, was she meant to be married? Is she wife material? What does that even mean?
And so we follow her on a journey into her past growing up in the middle of Indiana and exploring her relationships and sexuality.
Covers a Wide Range of Topics
As WIFE MATERIAL dives into one woman’s journey of self-discovery, we experience her upbringing and moments of discovery as she realizes she’s bi-sexual. Throughout this exploration, Jamie takes a moment to both address how she was feeling during these moments as well as looking at these through a critical lense.
These breaking away, monologue moments have a Vagina Monologues feel to them as they delve into these issues with a bit of poetic language combined with these stories of sexual experiences. And like Vagina Monologues, there’s happy and uplifting moments as she discovers love as well as more somber topics like rape culture and differing points of view within the queer community.
Bright and Bold Cast
Shriner is the perfect guide to lead us through all of these moments, in this writer’s view. She’s full of captivating energy and delivers a powerful performance. She works the crowd and has the audience laughing with her perfectly timed moments of awkwardness and jokes. Shriner also blows us away with her musical talent. She has a voice that carries through the entire theatre and has written these original witty and topical musical numbers as well.
She’s aided by two women who play the various friends and romantic interests throughout her life. Caitlin Dobbins and Natalie Rae add the right amount of sass, comfort, and harmonies when need be.
WIFE MATERIAL is a fun musical that keeps us engaged with its comedic memoir style and wide variety of musical stylings. It’s thought provoking as it challenges the norm and takes a critical lens to societal expectations. This show would be a good fit for anyone who loves newer, comedic musicals that touch on social issues.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Note: This is now added to the Picture this Post round up of BEST PLAYS IN CHICAGO, where it will remain until the end of the run. Click here to read — Top Picks for Theater in Chicago NOW – Chicago Plays PICTURE THIS POST Loves.
CAST:
Jamie Shriner
Caitlin Dobbins
Natalie Rae
CREATIVE:
Jamie Shriner
Dana Anderson
Kyra Leigh
Nicholas Schwartz
Christina Leinicke
Ellie Humphrys
Robert Hornbostel
Persephone Lawrence-Wescott
Drew de Pinto
Kate Cuellar
Josh Prisching
Becs Bartle
Christine Lauer
When:
Now through December 9, 2018
Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 pm
Saturdays at 3 pm & 7:30 pm
Sundays at 3 pm
Please note: there will not be a performance on Thursday, November 22 (Thanksgiving)
Benefit performance: Sunday, December 1 at 7:30 pm. Proceeds benefit Sarah's Circle, a non-profit supporting homeless and at-risk women. www.sarahs-circle.org.
Where:
The Understudy
4609 N. Clark St., Chicago
Tickets:
$15 - $25
Tickets are currently available through the Underscore Theatre website
Photos Evan Hanover
Note: Picture This Post reviews are excerpted by Theatre in Chicago
About the Author
Alexis is a theater reviewer, travel bug, media specialist, and burger & beer enthusiast. During the day she works in the advertising business as a senior communications designer. When night falls, or when she can escape to New York, she’s hitting the theaters to see as many shows as she can. And whenever she’s not at her desk or in the audience, she’s out seeking the best burger and beer offerings in Chicago.
Editor's Note: Click here to read more Picture this Post articles by Alexis Bugajski
