POW! (Play of the week)

Third
by Wendy Wasserstein

Liberals are closed-minded. Or that’s how the title character in Wasserstein’s last, and possibly most mature play, sees it. The play follows Professor Laurie Jameson as she is forced to deal with an acidic political environment, oncoming menopause, her personal relationships, and most of all the aforementioned Third, a wrestler at a very liberal college. Third not only turns Laurie's world upside down but becomes the lens with which we view all of the themes in the play.

How much do we accept people based on their perceived worth or judge them based on stereotypes that we choose to believe? Third makes us ask that same question, depicting liberals as closed-minded rather than reinforcing the conventional belief that conservatives hold the title for intolerance. He delivers a timely speech that gives a voice to disenfranchised young voters in today’s politically charged climate, addressing how liberals lost the vote during the Bush administration’s years in office.

Young people are often seen as liberal and active; in the past 8 years, the opposite was true. Though many don’t know why, “Third” takes a step toward explaining it.

Cast: 3 W, 2 M

Scenes/Monologues: Laurie has 4 speeches, 2 of which aggressively comment on the middle east conflict, morality, accountability, conservative vs. liberal, and old vs. new. Great scenes between all characters.

Recommended by: Abi