Spring Break
Modern woman still has 'Bad Dates'
Shannon Ayers
Issue date: 10/1/07 Section: Culture
- Page 1 of 1
A woman fawning over a pair of gaudy, hot pink pumps kicked off Theresa Rebeck's "Bad Dates."
The first Kansas City Repertory Theatre production of the season showed at Copaken Stage on Wednesday, Sept. 26.
Haley Walker's bedroom is overrun with shoes and her closet would even make Carrie Bradshaw run to the nearest Jimmy Choo store for a restock session.
Much like the women of "Sex and the City," "Bad Dates" is about a single, independent mother in New York.
Walker has left her "psycho" ex-husband, started her life over in the Big Apple and become successful at running a swanky fashionable restaurant owned by the Romanian mob.
As she searches through her endless collection of designer outfits and shoes, she tells the audience of her search for love.
"Bad Dates" is a charming portrayal of the new woman. Walker is making a living, raising a child and going through a series of men.
Her dates range from a cholesterol-obsessed Buddhist to a blind date set up by her mother.
Though the character of Walker and I are a generation apart, anyone who has had a horrible date will be able to relate to this show.
Walker reaches Bridget Jones' status in my eyes when she returns from a date, sighing with a Ben and Jerry's carton in hand. No words are needed.
Rebecca Dines' performance is right on and full of energy and life. It's difficult to carry a show alone, but she does it with flair.
One of my favorite moments is when she is at her lowest point sobbing. In her stance you can see her make the conscious decision to pick herself up and walk away with all the dignity she can muster.
She returns from her bathroom with a bunch of toilet paper to dab her eyes but accidentally starts to take the whole roll with her. It's a comedy that is appealing on a human level.
This show is not just for females. Despite what you may expect, it's not all about male bashing or men versus women.
In fact, as Walker's journey progresses, she begins to realize she doesn't need to do everything alone. After finally reaching out, Walker even brings up the idea that "maybe men and women weren't put on this earth to torture each other. Maybe we're here because we need each other."
This show fulfills the inner need for a chick flick, while still being widely appealing. I left feeling renewed and lighter and also with the hope the "bug guy" would show up.
skat33@umkc.edu
The first Kansas City Repertory Theatre production of the season showed at Copaken Stage on Wednesday, Sept. 26.
Haley Walker's bedroom is overrun with shoes and her closet would even make Carrie Bradshaw run to the nearest Jimmy Choo store for a restock session.
Much like the women of "Sex and the City," "Bad Dates" is about a single, independent mother in New York.
Walker has left her "psycho" ex-husband, started her life over in the Big Apple and become successful at running a swanky fashionable restaurant owned by the Romanian mob.
As she searches through her endless collection of designer outfits and shoes, she tells the audience of her search for love.
"Bad Dates" is a charming portrayal of the new woman. Walker is making a living, raising a child and going through a series of men.
Her dates range from a cholesterol-obsessed Buddhist to a blind date set up by her mother.
Though the character of Walker and I are a generation apart, anyone who has had a horrible date will be able to relate to this show.
Walker reaches Bridget Jones' status in my eyes when she returns from a date, sighing with a Ben and Jerry's carton in hand. No words are needed.
Rebecca Dines' performance is right on and full of energy and life. It's difficult to carry a show alone, but she does it with flair.
One of my favorite moments is when she is at her lowest point sobbing. In her stance you can see her make the conscious decision to pick herself up and walk away with all the dignity she can muster.
She returns from her bathroom with a bunch of toilet paper to dab her eyes but accidentally starts to take the whole roll with her. It's a comedy that is appealing on a human level.
This show is not just for females. Despite what you may expect, it's not all about male bashing or men versus women.
In fact, as Walker's journey progresses, she begins to realize she doesn't need to do everything alone. After finally reaching out, Walker even brings up the idea that "maybe men and women weren't put on this earth to torture each other. Maybe we're here because we need each other."
This show fulfills the inner need for a chick flick, while still being widely appealing. I left feeling renewed and lighter and also with the hope the "bug guy" would show up.
skat33@umkc.edu
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