Star Spangled Girl
A Note from the Director, Andrea Garrett
The critic Walter Kerr had a famous line in his review of Neil Simon's The Star-Spangled Girl (1967): "Neil Simon didn't have an idea for a play this year, but he wrote it anyway."
What can I say about a play with this review? Not only did the reviewer say it, but Neil Simon himself agreed with it! Some people ask me why we would choose Star Spangled Girl. But I have to say, I've always loved this play. And we choose it because we knew audiences would too.
Interestingly, Simon says that what he doesn't like about this play is that the characters were under-conceived and under-developed. I have to disagree a little bit. I think that the concept is there- people with opposing political views that fall for each other anyway (classic opposites attract). But I think that the reason people don't like the show is that the politics are slightly watered down. Andy and Norman as "radicals" still wore button down shirts with ties. In the original production, the boys looked as "all-American" as conservative as the character Sophie. The script has no references to Vietnam, and although the boys are dedicated to fighting "the system," we never find out exactly what it is they're fighting.
Does that mean the play is too watered down to be enjoyable? I don't think so. I'm excited about this script because I have the chance to take something that's funny on the page and make it come alive for the audience. Through the set, costumes, hair and makeup, we're trying to make this production feel a little more authentically 1960s than originally written. Having been asked if we are looking for controversy (because of the relatability of the Vietnam era to today's political climate), I would emphatically say NO. However, we don't shy away from controversy at SCTC. Instead, we like to present plays that make people think. We're not pushing a political view, but we find it an added bonus if an audience leaves thinking about their personal views.
I'm excited to be directing a comedy. Comedy is so much harder than drama. Jason and Andrew have such terrific comedic timing, it's a lot to live up to!
I think the think to remember when coming to see Star Spangled Girl is that, at it's heart, it's a goofy, family-friendly, love-triangle comedy. Hopefully audiences will appreciate the hilarious script and great acting this play provides.
