Collective Rage: A Play in 5 Betties

Collective Rage: A Play In 5 Betties is playing at Lucille Lortel Theatre located at 121 Christopher Street. It runs one hour fifty minutes with no intermission. The Play closes on October 7, 2018.

The played premiered at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company in Washington, D. C. in September 2016.

Dana Delany is known for her role as Colleen Murphy in the ABC series China Beach (1988-1991). She won two Prime Time Emmys in 1989 and 1992. Dana is also known for her role as Katherine Mayfair in the ABC series Desperate Housewives (2007-2010).

Lea DeLaria won a Screen Actors Guild Award for outstanding performance by an ensemble, in a comedy series Orange is the New Black.

Betty 1 (Dana Delany) is telling events that she heard on the television. She’s upset and tells her husband. Frank is not fazed at all about the news. This gets her more irritated.

Betty 3 (Ana Villafne) and Betty 4 (Lea Delaria) are at a party. Betty 2 (Adina Verson) is there too. She does not fit in with the group. They are talking about “pussy”. Betty 3 asks her if she has seen hers. She tells her to look at hers and provides her with a mirror. Betty 2 is shaking. She has no friends to talk to except her left hand that she makes into a puppet.

The last Betty we meet is Betty 5 (Chaunte Wayans). She works in a garage.

Betty 4 and 5 are masculine. Betty 1 and 2 are not in a happy marriage. It is as if they are not married at all. Betty 3 is a free spirt.

Betty 3 sees a Shakespeare play. She decides this is what she wants to do, direct and write her own play. She quits her job and enlists the Betties to help her, Betty 1 is the main actor, Betty 2 is her assistant and the lion, Betty 4 is the wall and Betty 5 is the prologue.

From the time they start until the play goes on things happen between the Betties. Not telling in case you should like to go.

When the play goes on the only Betty to show up is Betty 2. She performs in her under ware and bra.

To describe what happens in between may make you blush especially the language. Each Betty finds her inner person, the one she didn’t know she had.

The acting was impressive. Everyone shined especially Adina Verson.

They had a screen on the front of the stage. It told what Betty was there and what was happening. If you were sitting near the stage, it was hard to read.

The set is bare however props used fall from the ceiling unless brought in by one of the actors. It made it fun to watch.

If you are opened minded you will enjoy the play. BUT this play is not for everyone. I have to say it was a bit perplexing.

Review by Rozanna Radakovich

Photos by Annazor

To read a candid interview with the cast, scroll down to the left for photos. Click on photos for this and other shows.