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"The Women" By Clare Booth Luce

Clare Boothe Luce's social satire The Women was a smash hit when first performed on Broadway in 1936. It has enjoyed several revival productions during the 1970s and 1990s, a couple of movie versions and even a musical adaptation. Now, it is being performed at Edgewood High School in Elletsville, Indiana, by a group of thespians who call themselves the Masked Crafters.

The play is set in the world of high society wives in New York City during the height of the Great Depression. The plot unfolds from one simple moment: Mary Haines, the protagonist, learns from a gossipy manicurist that her husband Stephen is having an affair.

Professional Aspirations Or Part Of A Broad Education?

We talked to two members of the cast. With a solo role, Erin Lance has aspirations for a career. In several supporting roles, Miranda Prince has a more general appreciation for theater as simply part of her education.

The Soloist

Edgewood senior Erin Lance was cast in the role of Mary. "Although I have done some other work with the group, this is just my second show with the Masked Crafters. I'm hoping to go to college for theatre and to work professionally, but I think that acting is a good experience for anyone. It teaches you self confidence in front of an audience and how to present yourself."

The Generalist

Like Lance, Miranda Prince is also an Edgewood senior in her second set of roles with the company. She plays the gossipy manicurist and a whole cast of supporting players. "Yes, as Olga the manicurist, I'm kind of the character who sets the whole drama moving. In addition, I'm a nanny, an upper class lady, a model and even a cigarette girl. Fortunately, I get to take on the parts just one at a time! Like Erin, I do think that working in a play is good experience. You're participating with a group, and expanding your imagination."

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