The Best of Everything

Long before Carrie Bradshaw penned her sex column or Mary Richards tossed her hat in the air, there were the women of Fabian Publishing. 2nd Story Theatre's swanky adaptation of Rona Jaffe's 1959 novel, "The Best of Everything," examines the lives of six New York City ladies, circa the "Mad Men" era, who had to make a choice between husband or career and weren't afforded the luxury of being able to have both.

A radiant and beautifully composed Kerry Giorgi plays Caroline Bender, a recent Radcliffe graduate and the newest member of the typing pool at a paperback publishing company, who buries herself in work to help distract from being dumped by fianc�, Eddie Harris, portrayed disarmingly and suavely by David Sackal.

While Eddie's presence lingers, both emotionally and physically, Caroline's desk job subsequently inspires her to climb the editorial ladder at Fabian. Her newfound ambition doesn't go unnoticed by her antagonistic boss, Amanda Farrow (a steely, steadfast Rae Mancini), a company vet who presumably had to sleep her way to the top.

Meanwhile, Caroline empathetically suffers through the trials and tribulations of her co-workers. Mary Agnes Russo (an adorably aloof Jennifer Michaels), the office gossip, is counting the days before her wedding, and the newlywed, expectant Brenda Zaleski (Rachael Perry, endearing and amusing) works just to kill time until her baby is born.

A regal, resplendent Melanie Stone plays April Morrison, Caroline's bubbly friend and confidante who easily and desperately falls in and out of love, and the always impressive Valerie Westgate hauntingly portrays Gregg Adams, a seemingly free-spirited aspiring actress.

As Caroline spends more time at the office while the other women seek to find happiness at home, Eddie still preoccupies her thoughts, despite the palpable chemistry she shares with her equally lonely colleague, Mike Rice. Mike is played by criminally charming David Nando Rodgers, who tackles this role, as well as three others, including the lecherous Mr. Shalimar, with remarkable ease and noteworthy charisma.

While "Everything" is an encouraging reflection of how far a woman's role has progressed in society and the workplace, it also calls attention to issues -- like equal pay, sexual harassment, and the glass ceiling -- that still exist today, more than half-a-century later.

Julie Kramer's script is not without its flaws, but overall it works, and the stellar performances, as well as director Kira Hawkridge's trademark interludes of dreamlike sequences (featuring music from artists as varied and random as Peggy Lee and Death Cab for Cutie), outshine any weaknesses in the content. Furthermore, Ron Cesario's spot-on costumes from the era are so chic and stunning, they're almost distracting.

The resounding theme of strong women and their struggles has been featured recently at other Rhode Island theaters like Gamm and Mixed Magic, and 2nd Story's sophisticated production of "The Best of Everything" is a welcome, important addition to this collection of female-centric works.

"The Best of Everything" runs thru May 28 at 2nd Story Theatre Upstage, 28 Market Street in Warren. For information and tickets, call 401-247-4200 or visit www.2ndStoryTheatre.com