The Wisdom of Eve Review – How to Succeed in Show Biz

Initially a short story written by actress/author Mary Orr and published in the May 1946 issue of Cosmopolitan, THE WISDOM OF EVE later became the basis for the 1950 Oscar-winning film “All About Eve” starring Bette Davis and Anne Baxter and featuring Marilyn Monroe in one of her first roles. Two theories have emerged about the origin of the tale. Some say that the story was loosely based on an unnamed woman who was secretary to Elizabeth Bergner, a Viennese actress. Others point to Broadway legend, which has it that the tale rose from the rivalry between actress Tallulah Bankhead and Lizabeth Scott, who was her understudy during the production of Thornton Wilder’s The Skin of our Teeth. Orr adapted her short story for radio in 1949 and sold the rights to the film; she received a Screen Writers Guild award for original story. In addition to the film, the 1970 hit Broadway musical Applause was also based on Orr’s short story. Finally, in 1964, Orr and her husband, director/playwright Reginald Denham, adapted the short story into a play of the same name which was produced off-Broadway in 1979. In 2024, Whitefire Theatre proudly presents THE WISDOM OF EVE.

Esther Guigui as Eve – Photo by Blain Clausen

Margo (Dahlia Waingort Guigui) is at the top of her game, a stage sensation who attracts audiences and fans like bees to honey. Enter Eve (Esther Guigui), an adoring fan who so impresses Margo with her sincerity that Eve soon goes from stage door to star’s dressing room as Margo’s secretary/dresser/confidante. Even though Margo’s husband Clement (John Mese) expresses some trepidation over Margo’s spontaneous offer, others in her inner circle –  including Karen (Barry Brisco) and Karen’s husband Lloyd (Eric Keitel) – find themselves drawn to the sad innocent. The stage-struck Eve soon works her way into the job of Margo’s understudy, with everyone applauding her loyalty, hard work, and unattainable dreams.

Mitch Hara – Photo by Blain Clausen

When Eve takes on Margo’s role through a situation planned and executed by Karen, who hopes to get even with Margo for her rude treatment of Karen’s husband, things change – and very rapidly. The audience loves Eve, and she is able to ingratiate herself with Tally Ho (Mitch Hara), a gossip-mongering theater critic, and Bert Hinkle (Mitch Rosander), Margo’s own agent. When Eve shares her real views and her deception with them – and Tally Ho publishes the facts in the newspaper – Margo’s inner circle is due for a big surprise. Suddenly Eve’s benefactors meet the real Eve, a manipulative psychopath who has orchestrated her moves with cold precision from Day 1 at the stage door. Will Eve get her comeuppance, or will she continue to tread over anyone who gets in her way?

Director Bryan Rasmussen skillfully helms the drama with a keen understanding of the ins and outs of show business. Dahlia Guigui is the show’s producer and co-stars with her own real-life daughter, Esther. The uber-talented cast does a chilling (and sometimes amusing) job of dissecting each character in the story. The London Gazette described THE WISDOM OF EVE as “strong and gripping, while the California Star-News observes that “(the script) is considerably better for the updating and paring Mary Orr has done…it helps to have a good script, and this is a peach.”Updates, by the way, include casting Lloyd’s wife Karen as a black, gay male – which lends itself to some occasional tongue-in-cheek chuckles.

Jeff Rack’s set design is simple but lush, while Mitch Rosander’s sound and projection design clue the audience in on when and where. Derrick McDaniel’s lighting and Michael Mullen’s costumes add to the ambiance. THE WISDOM OF EVE is an old-fashioned but updated view of people in the theater world. As such, it is fascinating – especially as it peels away individual facades and lets everyone in on what makes these folks tick. This show will appeal to audiences who enjoy digging into psychological dynamics, as well as theater aficionados. Regardless of the specific themes, however, THE WISDOM OF EVE is above all intriguing and entertaining.

THE WISDOM OF EVE runs through November 24, 2024, with performances at 8 p.m. on Saturdays and at 7 p.m. on Sunday 11/24/24. The Whitefire Theatre is located at 13500 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA 91423. Tickets are $40 (seniors and students $30). For information and reservations, call 818-687-8559 or go online.