Angry Housewives

"Angry Housewives," Seattle's longest running musical brings '80s punk rock back to the emerald city in a new production by ArtsWest directed by Shawn Belyea. "Angry Housewives," written by Seattleites Chad Henry (music and lyrics) and A.M. Collins (book), originally premiered in 1983 and ran for seven years in Seattle. Twenty-five years later some of the specifics may be dated but the theme of women searching for meaning in a world of men who dismiss them is still poignant and relevant.

In the story, Bev (Heather Hawkins) is a widowed mom of a teenage son, Tim (Trent Moury). To make ends meet she's trying to sell cosmetics out of her home and dreaming of a pink Cadillac.

Out of 39 invited women only three of her friends show up out of pity. Carol (Ann Cornelius) is divorced and struggling with her weight and self-image. Jetta (Chelsea LeValley) has an infant daughter and is married to Larry (Mark Tyler Miller) who emotionally abuses her. Wendi (Janet McWilliams) is dating Wallace (Jeff Orton) who is obsessed with his boat and doesn't seem to notice that Wendi has dreams of her own.

Sparked by Tim's plans to enter his punk band into a contest, Wendi decides the group of women should form a band of their own and try for the prize. As the women struggle to come up with an idea for their music, they realize that their daily experiences as housewives and mothers make great fodder for the gritty, angry sound of punk rock.

Many bright comic moments exist in the show. When Tim finds out his mother has formed a band as well, the women insist that it's a marching bluegrass band. Appeased that she's doing something different from him, he says, "It's funny we're both in a band." She replies, "Oh it's a lot funnier than you think."

Carol strikes up a relationship with the owner of the punk club, Lewd Fingers (Brian Lange). In trying to explain all the differences in their backgrounds, she says, "I was in the PTA!" to which he replies, "Please, Carol, I don't need to hear about your sordid past."

The music is really where the magic is in this show. From Bev's brightly chipper number "Think Positive" as she's prepping her beauty supplies, to Carol's sexy "Generic Woman" bemoaning the fact that she's a "major brand in a plain wrapper," to the adorable "Betsy Moberly" between Wallace and Lewd who discover they were frat brothers in college, the songs really carry both character and storyline.

LeValley as Jetta does a lovely job with the sorrowful "Not at Home" as she sings about her unhappy marriage. Then she turns around and takes the cast into the rousing and hilarious "Eat Your Fucking Cornflakes." Lange's comic chops are on full display both during his light-hearted duet with Orton, as well as during the appropriately-titled "Stalling for Time," which he sings with the other men backing him up as they wait for the women's band to show up.

Punk rock's innate rage and desire for social change is a perfect medium for the frustrations of these everyday women as they seek to just get by and be seen by the men around them, and Seattle with its music history is a great setting. The set, designed by Dennis Culpepper, draws on that history, with old playbills for bands pasted up everywhere, and a clever use of video (created by Brianna Larson and Brody Davis) of city sights and neighborhoods which locals will recognize and appreciate..

"Angry Housewives" is a rousingly fun night out and by the end I bet you'll want to throw your cornflakes along with the cast in celebration and solidarity.

"Angry Housewives" runs through May 24 at ArtsWest Playhouse and Gallery, 4711 California Ave SW in Seattle. For information or tickets, call 206-938-0339 or visit www.ArtsWest.org.