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Bad Dates
By Theresa Rebeck
Directed by Judith Ivey
At Northlight Theatre
9501 N. Skokie Blvd
Skokie, IL
Call 847-673-6300, tickets $34 - $54
Tuesdays through Thursdays at 7:30 PM
Wednesday matinees at 1 PM
Fridays at 8 PM
Saturdays at 3 & 8
Sundays at 2:30 & 7 PM
Running time is 90 minutes with no intermission
Through January 7, 2007
Bad Dates portrays plight of single moms
With a large studio apartment set ( designed by Tom Burch) adorned with boxes and boxes and line and line of shoes, we see that Haley Walker (Beth Broderick) expresses her emotions through buying shoes. With elements of Sex in the City and Bridget Jones Diary, Bad Dates is a one woman show that tells the story of a single mom from Texas trying to survive in New York City. She is raising a 13 year old while running a restaurant as well as trying to find a man.
This funny and realistic show plays mostly to woman and it sure works for them. TV star Beth Broderick is warm and engaging with her laid back style and winning smile. Her story is cute with fluffy anecdotes, telling revelations as she continuously tries on shoes from the hundreds displayed on the large set. Broderick also tries on outfit after outfit while expounding her bittersweet story. Theresa Rebeck’s writing is fresh and realistic.
Even the men seem interested in this distinctly female story. We hear her having one terrible date after another including an assortment of jerks. There is the blind date with the gay guy set up by her mother and the nice guy that she misreads and regrets later. The story works because we like and care for the character because Broderick exudes a wholesomeness that we can relate to. The 90 minute show develops into a surprising twist that worries us. The show outlines Haley’s struggle to find the perfect date and the perfect pair of shoes. The ladies will appreciate this well acted show.
Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: December 10, 2006
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