1930s Satire ‘The Women’ Maintains Its Social Relevance

WUNC | By Jennifer Brookland ,

Published August 3, 2017 at 12:13 PM EDT

A production of 'The Women' illuminates how much society and gender roles have changed and expanded in the last 80 years.

In 1936 Claire Boothe Luce wrote a play about New York socialites that reflected her own high-society life. Claire was the second wife of media mogul Henry Luce. “The Women” satirizes the role of women in society and their reliance on men.

Host Frank Stasio previews a new production of Claire Boothe Luce's play, 'The Women', with the play’s co-director Lyman Collins, actors Jess Barbour and Bridget Patterson, and costume designer Rachel McKay.

A new production of the play at the Cary Arts Center stays true to the characters competitive, gossipy, and sometimes cruel interactions, however it also illuminates how much society and gender roles have changed and expanded in the last 80 years. “The Women” is on stage at the Cary Theater on Friday, Aug. 4 and Saturday, Aug. 5 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 6 at 3 p.m. There is also a screening of the 1939 film version of “The Women” at the Cary Theater tonight at 7 p.m.

Host Frank Stasio previews the production with the play’s co-director Lyman Collins, actors Jess Barbour and Bridget Patterson, and costume designer Rachel McKay.