Nickel and Dimed

From: "will stackman" profwlll@yahoo.com

Subject: Quicktake - "Nickel and Dimed" by Joan Holden

adapted from Barbara Ehrenreich's novel

Date: Sun, Dec 3, 5:59 PM

Quicktake on NICKEL AND DIMED

     When this dramatization played at Trinity in 2003 it was questioned as being too focussed on the travails of the author of the original book. Susan Lombardi - Verticelli plays Barbara very matter of factly, which helps shift attention to the workers who are of more interest. Director Megan Orwig has assembled an ensemble of five versatile actors to play the staff of a “Kenny’s” Restaurant in Key West FL, a team of “Magic Maids” in Portland ME, and associates at MallMart in Minneapolis. Ehrenreich's conclusion is remains true; you can’t make a living on minimum wage., especially when Social services are less than adequate, especially for women. These “workers” in alphabetical order are Jordan Harrison—the only guy—Jackie Heath, Ellen Lokos, Danielle Muehlenbein, and Donna Spurlock.

     South City has as part of its mission to provoke the intellect and inspire change in the human condition. Joan Holden’s adaptation, which was done for the San Francisco Mime Troupe, has the same goal. Unfortunately, there’s no prescription in either the original book or this staging to suggest how the working poor, subjected to “repetitive stress of the spirit,” can really effect change. And even if the new Congress raises the minimum wage, too little too late, very little will change , particularly as the cost of the situation in the Middle East comes due. But maybe “Nickel & Dimed” will make a few people better tippers and refold merchandise at Target.

"Nickel and Dimed" by Joan Holden, Dec. 1 - Dec. 17

South City Theatre at Devanaughn

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