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| Virginia Olivieri and Walt Pedano photo by Wade Moran |
Click here for more information on this production that was originally set to run through April 26
"Neil Simon included several autobiographical references and characters based on people in his life in many of his plays. The dramatic comedy Jake's Women is one of his most personal works, with the main character of Jake modeled very closely on Simon. Scottsdale Desert Stages Theatre's production, which was set to run through April 26 before the coronavirus restrictions were put in place, featured a perfect cast and assured direction. The production has been suspended, and the theatre company's current plan is to hopefully have performances of this production resume in a few weeks with an extension of the run a possibility. ....Director Janis Webb assembled a gifted cast who each delivered beautiful, comical and moving performances. As Jake, Walt Pedano did a very good job in portraying this man who is more at home with the memories in his head and the imagined conversations he has with those closest to him than with actual conversations with living people....Virginia Olivieri had the hardest job in the play as she had to depict three different versions of Maggie. She played the hopeful and happy woman Jake first meets, the current wife who is hurt, vulnerable and bitter, as well as a fantasy version of Maggie that Jake dreams up. Olivieri succeeded admirably in making each portrayal distinct and believable. She brought a pained realism to the modern-day Maggie but also delivered the comic moments in the fantasy part; the scene in which her imaginary Maggie verbally spars with Jake while Corin Grimm, as Sheila, whom Jake is currently dating, gets caught in the middle, was expertly staged by Webb and perfectly delivered by Olivieri, Pedano and Grimm....With a cast that created a realistic chemistry with each other, Desert Stages Theatre presented a touching production of this rich, honest, funny and intelligent play. Hopefully, they'll be able to continue performances in a few weeks." -Gil Benbrook, Talkin' Broadway (click here to read the complete review)
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