Women have always been on the battlefield, from the (estimated) 400-750 who fought in the American Revolutionary War to the 74,000+ currently serving.
However, officially, women were not allowed on the front lines until 2017 … but for a small group in World War I whose service is generally forgotten. The Hello Girls is a fictionalized musical telling of their story. Ross Valley Players is presenting it at the Barn in the Marin Art and Garden Center through March 1.
Grace Barker (Monica Rose Slater) is a Bell Telephone operator in New York, yearning to make a difference. After General Pershing (Joseph Walters) gets frustrated with the male operators and orders the establishment of a women’s signal corps, Grace gets her chance.
She and five other women under her command—sassy Suzanne Prevot (Grace Margaret Craig), spirited Louise LeBreton (Jacqueline Lee), sweet Helen Hill (Malia Abayon) and level-headed Bertha Hunt (Abigail Wissink)—are shipped off to France. Answering directly to the requisite handsome but misogynistic officer in charge, Lt. Riser (Nelson Brown), Grace and her crew finally find themselves in the fight of their lives.
Barker is a competent actor with a good voice who handles the complex ingénue part with ease. Lee, Abayon and Wissink all have good voices, but it is Craig who shines. To be fair, Suzanne is written to be a standout role, but it’s unusual to find an actor with the combination of strong acting, strong voice, and who plays the cello beautifully. Craig may be the charismatic core of the ensemble; however, almost all members pull triple duty as actors, dancers and musicians. Landers Markwick’s enthusiastic drumming is notable.
Costuming by Valera Coble was commendable. The costumes were well researched and well constructed, especially the uniforms. Unfortunately, the set by Ron Krempetz, while an interesting concept, did not feel fully realized. It might have been the color scheme, but the abstract telephone lines and call lights ended up looking like something out of a 1990s music video. The excessive use of a smoke machine didn’t help dispel that resemblance.
It’s also important to note that while this show explores themes of war and equity on the battlefield, it is also intensely patriotic. That is a bit of a hard sell in our current political climate.
However, the work of the diverse cast and tight ensemble makes it worth that occasional awkwardness.
‘The Hello Girls’ runs through March 1 at the Barn Theatre in the Marin Art and Garden Center, 30 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Ross. Thurs.–Sat., 7:30pm; Sun., 2pm. $30–$45. 415.456.9555. rossvalleyplayers.com.
