Review: QUIET! THREE LADIES LAUGHING at Crystal Theatre

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The under the radar play you must see.

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Robert Hawkins ’s Quiet! Three Ladies Laughing is a play you probably never saw or even heard about, but should. The two-act drama, which is playing for a limited run. It will evoke characters and stories of some of the best known authors and playwrights from the South, but Hawkins’ play is strong enough to be recognized for his own excellent writing.

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Quiet! Three Ladies Laughing takes place on a sleeping-porch during the long, hot summer of 1943 in the small Alabama town of Sulligent. Mama Nolan lays dying in her bed. Her three daughters, Lottie (played by Shelley Lepetich), Eva (Kimberley Lowden), and Ada Lou (Chelsea Carpenter) to see Mama before she died. Aunt Edna (Janice Rudolph), Mama’s cantankerous sister comes in and criticizes everyone. Joining them are Miss White (Karen Heck), a family-retainer and Deidre (Laura Osadchy), Ada Lou’s ten year old daughter, are also there to be with Mama as she lays dying. Their brother, Earle (Nick Fetherston) comes to the house after Mama’s funeral. The first person he sees is Ada Lou, the sister to whom he was closest. He explains that he is no longer in the Army and why he came after their mother was buried.

The actors were flawlessly cast and interpreted their roles to perfection. Each character bared her or his soul during the play, even the one whose nature is to keep everything to herself. Carpenter, Lowden, and Lepetich were convincing as sisters. Osadchy was charming as Deidre. Heck was credible as the old and devoted servant/caretaker for the family. Rudolph was outstanding as the formidable Aunt Edna. She reminded me of Frances Sternhagen . Fetherston was touching as the tortured Earle.

Frank Petrilli’s direction and set design were first rate. He presented Hawkins’ play with the sensitivity and compassion it deserves. The characters in Quiet! Three Ladies Laughing discuss subjects that people didn’t talk about in the 1940s or even decades after. These secrets come out naturally, rather than with shocking confessions. Hawkins must be smiling from Heaven at this production.

Quiet! Three Ladies Laughing plays at the Crystal Theatre on Friday and Saturday May 1st and 2nd at 8:00 and May 3rd at 3:00. Don’t miss this incredible, moving play. Crystal Theatre is located at 66 Bayview Avenue in Norwalk near the Sono Collection. For tickets, call ( 203) 858-2709 or visit www.crystaltheatre.org

Although Crystal Theatre has earned a solid reputation as a place where young aspiring actors learn their skills, its executive artistic direct Cheryl Kemeny is open to having more productions for adults. The stage is large and the theater has 232 seats. How perfect is that for theater companies that don’t have their own permanent home? Bring your ideas to Kemeny and help keep the magic of theater going.

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_Originally reported by [BroadwayWorld](https://www.broadwayworld.com/connecticut/article/Review-QUIET-THREE-LADIES-LAUGHING-at-Crystal-Theatre-20260503)._