Theater review: 'A Woman's Place' isn't necessarily on this stage

"A Woman's Place," West End Players Guild's second production of its 100th season, feels a lot like an uneven episode of "Saturday Night Live" — probably not the outcome directors Renee Sevier-Monsey and Carrie Phinney were going for Friday with their staging of four one-act shows.

A cast of six takes on multiple roles in "Trifles" by Susan Glaspell, "Australia" (at about five minutes, more of a scene than an act) by David Mamet, "Hello Out There" by William Saroyan and "Ashes to Ashes" by Harold Pinter. The pieces' common factor: Each deals with women tested by extreme situations such as rape and murder.

While such an undertaking has a lot of potential, the quality of the acting in this effort varies so wildly to the point where it's just distracting. Compelling performances often are mismatched with actors who are just delivering lines (and making an uncomfortable amount of eye contact with the audience).

There are some notable performances, though. Susan Elaine Rasch is solid in three of the pieces. Her portrayals seem effortless, and "Australia," basically a monologue, is an enjoyable showcase of her range.

Anthony Wininger, as a man jailed for rape in "Hello Out There," is paired appropriately with Elissa Schrader, who plays a 17-year-old with a misguided attraction to him. The two display chemistry — well, as much chemistry as a naive teenager can have with an accused rapist — and their inexplicable love-at-first-sight relationship is a delight to watch.

"Ashes to Ashes," which seems to go on forever, would have been more tolerable with quicker pacing. Pinter's writing is clever, and there's a fairly interesting plot in there someplace, but the glacial speed makes it nearly incomprehensible. Nancy Lubowitz does a fine job channeling Rebecca, a disturbed woman who emotionally — and sometimes comically — recalls an abusive lover from her past.

The cast also includes Chuck Lavazzi and Sean Ruprecht-Belt.

All four shows play out on a drab set designed for "Trifles," which takes place in 1916. But a bare stage with just a few key furnishings — and better use of lighting to establish the moods and locations — may have been a more effective approach. Too often, the stage lights illuminated much of the house, a reminder that it's a church basement.

West End Players Guild deserves applause for attempting an evening of one-acts. But in the end, character development and better pacing would have made for a more enjoyable evening of theater.

By Gabe Hartwig • ©2010 St. Louis Post-Dispatch, STLtoday.com • Published 11.09.10