The Female of the Species
Annette Benning tops the list of fine actors in the comedy/farce, The Female of the Species, written by Joanna Murray-Smith and playing at the Geffen Playhouse in
Westwood. Some years ago, a very disturbed student held Feminist Germaine Greer captive in her home and that incident gave Murray-Smith the inspiration to write this play.
Margot Mason (Annette Benning) is a famous feminist and author whose first book, “The Cerebral Vagina” has stirred controversy as well as won plaudits. There are those who have, undoubtedly, taken the book too seriously, and one of those is Molly (Merritt Wever), a former student. While Margot is sitting alone in her home in the country (a striking set by Takeshi Kata) trying desperately to find inspiration for her next book, she is interrupted by the intrusion of Molly bearing a grudge and a gun promising to kill Margot for ruining her life as she handcuffs her to her desk.
Molly claims that her mother was influenced by “The Cerebral Vagina” to the point of abandoning her as an infant and committing suicide while holding the book. She also claims to have been influenced by the book herself and can no longer have children. But before Molly can carry out her vindication, a series of interruptions take place as Margot is visited by her neglected daughter Tess (Marielle Enos) who is on the verge of a nervous breakdown trying to care for three infants, followed by Tess’s husband Bryan (David Arquette), a rattled cab driver Frank (Josh Stamberg) and Margot’s publishing agent Theo (Julian Sands). The “sparring” begins as barbs fly and everyone begins “debating” and the humor begins.
It was said that Germaine Greer was upset with Murray-Smith for writing the play and that she hated it. I did not hate the play, but I found that its best quality was in the actors who performed their rolls so perfectly under the skilled direction of Randall Arney. Some of the premise was a bit too outlandish for my taste, however comical it may be, but it does offer a chance to see Benning in great form, Enos give a monologue that is outstanding, Arquette play a boorish husband to a tee and Stamberg come on strong as Frank.
The Female of the Species plays Tuesdays through Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. through March 14. The Geffen Playhouse is located at 10886 Le Conte Ave., in Westwood. Tickets are available at the Playhouse box office, online at www.geffenplayhouse.com, by credit card phone order at (310) 208-5454, at all Ticketmaster outlets, or by calling Ticketmaster outlets at (800) 754-3000.