“A Taste of Things to Come” review by Carol Moore

Recommended *** As we walked out of Broadway Playhouse after seeing “A Taste of Things to Come”, my friend Helen said she’d bet that that every woman in the audience loved the musical, and that the men probably thought it was just OK.  Judging by the cheers at the curtain call, I’d have to agree with her.  I thought it had a dynamite cast, a well-written original score, but not much of a story.  3 ½ Spotlights

During World War II, women held down important jobs all across America so the men could go off to war.  As soon as the war was over and the men came home, women were unceremoniously sent back to the kitchen.

Act I takes place during the ultra-conservative ‘50s, when women were expected to defer to their husbands in all things.  They were expected to greet him at the door with a smile – in a nice dress and make-up – no matter what kind of day they’d had.  They were expected to keep the children away from him until he’d had a chance to read the paper.  Finally, they were expected to have a perfect hot meal on the table when their husbands got home.  With that last expectation in mind, a cooking club was considered to be an acceptable activity for the woman of the house.

Joan Smith (Cortney Wolfson) introduces the audience to her three best friends, Connie Olsen (Libby Servais), Dottie O’Farrell (Marissa Rosen) and Agnes Crookshank (Linedy Genao).  When they get together on Wednesdays in Joan’s kitchen – complete with turquoise cabinets, formica countertops, a Frigidaire refrigerator and a gray formica table and chairs – to perfect their cooking techniques, they share a lot more than recipes.

This particular Wednesday, they decide to enter the Betty Crocker cook-off contest, even though they didn’t win any of the 17 times they’ve entered before.  Judging by the quantity of alcoholic beverages they consume, I’m not surprised.  Although they scurry around Joan’s kitchen grabbing an ingredient or two, there is no actual cooking going on.  After a startling revelation, the evening ends with angry accusations and recriminations.

In Act II, Joan’s house has been remodeled, adding a sandstone fireplace and modern furniture, but the kitchen wall is inexplicably missing, revealing the band.

Joan has finally gotten all four women to come back on a Wednesday in 1967, and she’s got a big surprise for them.  Joan and Agnes have careers now, Joan as a writer, Aggie as a soap opera star.  Connie lives in the Caribbean with her new husband and their inter-racial son.  Dottie resents the other three because she’s ‘just a mom’.

The costumes are beautiful and authentic looking.  In fact, I could have sworn that Connie’s bell-bottom jeans and fringed leather vest were in my closet!  Joan’s outfit really needed knee-high go-go boots however.

“A Taste of Things to Come” runs through April 29^th at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place, 175 E. Chestnut, Chicago. Parking is available at a reduced rate in the Water Tower Place garage.  Be sure to get a validation ticket from the usher.

Running time is 2 hours, 15 minutes, with an intermission.

Performances are:

Tuesdays through Fridays at 7:30 pm

Saturdays at 2:00 and 8:00 pm

Sundays at 2:00 and 7:30 pm.

Tickets range from $30-$75.  FYI (312) 977-1710, (800) 775-2000, www.broadwayinchicago.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “A Taste of Things to Come”