“Sweet and sour.” That’s how Miriam Baier describes Windmill Productions’ next show, a Camelot-inspired political comedy titled, “Ladies First.” And by “Camelot,” we mean the White House during John F. Kennedy’s glory days, specifically early 1960s.
But this play, as the title suggests, isn’t about the men who led the country. Instead, it centers around the first ladies who stood beside them. The nine women in the cast have big shoes to fill, especially the six who accepted the role of one of these inspirational females.
Baier, who plays Bess Truman (wife of Harry S. Truman, 33rd U.S. president), loves the challenge of live theater, adding, “And spending a 1962 afternoon on stage with formidable women who are wise, witty and warm is a bonus.”
The spring production — presented at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 29, and Saturday, April 30, at the Holland Theatre — offers a wide variety of local talent, from seasoned performers to those who are hitting the stage for the first time, like Season Ashley, who accepted the role of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy.
“Ladies First” takes place while Kennedy was president, of course, and joins Jackie as she entertains former — and future— first ladies one January afternoon.
As Jackie tries to maneuver the image people have of her to the one she wants to present, she faces confrontations from all sides, including from the help. But that’s nothing compared to coming face-to-face with an intimidating, women’s rights defender named Eleanor Roosevelt, played by Kris MacGillivray Shannon. In many ways, the play is a White House version of “The Golden Girls.”
Director Kris Swisher said they chose this comedy partly because it would be an easy one to rehearse and stage in the spring, but they also enjoyed the interaction between the characters.
They’re saving Windmill’s first post-pandemic musical for this summer, when they’ll present the classic “South Pacific.”
Visit thehollandtheatre.org for tickets and more information about future events.