Babe is presented by The Echo Theater Company, directed by Chris Fields, and written by Jessica Goldberg.
When a young Kaitlin (Wylie Anderson) goes for an interview to work for A&R genius Gus (Sal Viscuso), she finds a culture where bad behavior is still tolerated and complacency is a common occurrence. Kaitlin gets the job, but soon she realizes that the mastermind behind the biggest acts signed by the record label might be more the work of Abigail (Julie Dretzin), Gus’s assistant.
Kaitlin has been inspired by her singer idol Kat Wonders (also played by Wylie Anderson). On paper, Kat was discovered by Gus, but as the story unfolds, it is revealed that Abigail help developed Kat and other artists into superstars. In a conversation with Abigail and intrigued by Kat’s death, Kaitlin perceives that maybe Abigail had romantic relationships with Gus and Kat in the past. Kaitlin also complaints about Gus’s insensitive behavior and questions Abigail for allowing Gus to get all the credits for the success of the label’s artists while relegating her to a lesser position.
Abigail then becomes the main character in the play. Her relationship with Gus both professional and personal sheds light on the dynamics between these two characters. Abigail tolerated the abusive behaviors she witnessed in the music industry as a rite of passage without questioning the legality of it. She also helped Gus to develop and polish the acts the label had signed while he got all the credits and the biggest paycheck. In return, Gus gave Abigail the men, women, and drugs she wanted while securing her position in the label. Regardless of their silent agreement, everything changed after Gus fell out of favor with his boss and Abigail is offered the opportunity of a lifetime. It’s up to Abigail now to make an important decision in a critical time in her life.
One interesting exposition of the story is the different backgrounds of Abigail and Kaitlin. Abigail’s dad was a carpenter and her mom was a housewife. Kaitlin’s mom is a lawyer and her dad is a science teacher. Her dad’s actions however, is one of the reasons Kaitlin is specially sensitive about sexual harassment.
Jessica Goldberg’s play shows the older generations’ point of views that permeated the workplace behaviors that hurt so many people along the way. It also shows Generation Z trying to change things for the better and how the power of music can influence people to take action. But the play goes further than that. It explores the challenges of changing or modifying upper and middle manager’s old behaviors and even the victim’s own stupor that leads to inaction either by complacency or indoctrination. Change, as shown in one of the scenes, can mean different things to different people.
Wylie Anderson’s performance showed the transition of Kaitlin’s position in the record label. She was timid and a bit insecure during the interview, then frustrated by Gus’s harassment, and finally, empowered to stand up against abuse and demand changes within the organization. Julie Dretzin did an excellent job portraying the passive and troubled assistant that faces the challenges of an older generation of women and the opportunities that could open up for the new ones. Sal Viscuso offered the funniest lines as the vocal and abusive A&R legend that ultimately had to face his own demise.
The creative team includes scenic designer Amanda Knehans; lighting designer Hayden Kirschbaum; sound designer Alysha Grace Bermudez; and costume designer Elena Flores. The assistant director is Elana Luo, the associate producer is Elliot Davis, and the production stage manager is Danielle Jaramillo. Chris Fields and Kelly Beech produce for the Echo Theater Company.
Babe
Written by Jessica Goldberg. Directed by Chris Fields. Starring Wylie Anderson, Julie Dretzin and Sal Viscuso. Presented by The Echo Theater Company, Chris Fields artistic director.
Echo Theater Company
Atwater Village Theatre
3269 Casitas Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90039
Performances: Sept. 17–Oct.24
Fridays at 8 p.m.: Sept. 23; Sept. 30; Oct. 7; Oct. 14; Oct. 21
Saturdays at 8 p.m.: Sept. 17 (opening night); Sept. 24; Oct. 1; Oct. 8; Oct. 15; Oct. 22
Sundays at 4 p.m.: Sept. 25; Oct. 2; Oct. 9; Oct. 16; Oct. 23
Mondays at 8 p.m.: Sept. 26; Oct. 3; Oct. 10; Oct. 17; Oct. 24
Tickets: www.EchoTheaterCompany.com
