Ambition and Allegiance on the Eve of 1864 US Election
The Brooklyn-based company American Vicarious brings to life a fascinating tale of female power, politics, and emotional distance in "Our American Queen". The play follows Kate Chase, daughter of Salmon P. Chase, the US Secretary of the Treasury, as she navigates her way through the tumultuous landscape of 1864 America.
Kate's story is one of calculated ambition, driven by a desire to secure her family's financial future and solidify her own position in society. With her sharp intellect and razor-sharp wit, she expertly juggles alliances, optics, and marriage negotiations - all while maintaining a deep connection with John Hay, Lincoln's secretary.
However, the play struggles to delve deeper into Kate's psyche, leaving audiences wondering about the true motivations behind her actions. The dense dialogue often plods along, with little room for banter or witty repartee, which is a missed opportunity given Kate's formidable intellect. Her politics are largely confined to the domestic sphere, with little attention paid to her prowess on the wider stage.
The production does shine in its portrayal of Kate and Hay's complex relationship. The chemistry between Wallis Currie-Wood and Darrell Brockis is palpable, as they skillfully capture the sparks of vulnerability and repressed pain that simmer beneath their flirtatious sparring. Tom Victor brings a sensitivity to his performance as Hay, which adds depth to the play.
The set design, courtesy of Neal Wilkinson, is a masterclass in creating an atmosphere of opulence and excess. The enormous dining table serves as a symbol of Kate's ambition, while the gilded frames displaying live feeds of the actors' performances occasionally feel like a technical flourish that detracts from the character interactions.
Ultimately, "Our American Queen" raises intriguing questions about female power, ambition, and emotional distance in 19th-century America. While it stumbles in its execution, the play remains a captivating exploration of Kate's inner world, leaving audiences to ponder the complexities of this formidable woman's motivations.
The Brooklyn-based company American Vicarious brings to life a fascinating tale of female power, politics, and emotional distance in "Our American Queen". The play follows Kate Chase, daughter of Salmon P. Chase, the US Secretary of the Treasury, as she navigates her way through the tumultuous landscape of 1864 America.
Kate's story is one of calculated ambition, driven by a desire to secure her family's financial future and solidify her own position in society. With her sharp intellect and razor-sharp wit, she expertly juggles alliances, optics, and marriage negotiations - all while maintaining a deep connection with John Hay, Lincoln's secretary.
However, the play struggles to delve deeper into Kate's psyche, leaving audiences wondering about the true motivations behind her actions. The dense dialogue often plods along, with little room for banter or witty repartee, which is a missed opportunity given Kate's formidable intellect. Her politics are largely confined to the domestic sphere, with little attention paid to her prowess on the wider stage.
The production does shine in its portrayal of Kate and Hay's complex relationship. The chemistry between Wallis Currie-Wood and Darrell Brockis is palpable, as they skillfully capture the sparks of vulnerability and repressed pain that simmer beneath their flirtatious sparring. Tom Victor brings a sensitivity to his performance as Hay, which adds depth to the play.
The set design, courtesy of Neal Wilkinson, is a masterclass in creating an atmosphere of opulence and excess. The enormous dining table serves as a symbol of Kate's ambition, while the gilded frames displaying live feeds of the actors' performances occasionally feel like a technical flourish that detracts from the character interactions.
Ultimately, "Our American Queen" raises intriguing questions about female power, ambition, and emotional distance in 19th-century America. While it stumbles in its execution, the play remains a captivating exploration of Kate's inner world, leaving audiences to ponder the complexities of this formidable woman's motivations.
. It's like, you've got Kate Chase, this super smart and powerful woman who's trying to navigate her family's finances and her own place in society, all while keeping up appearances. But here's the thing - we're not really seeing the full extent of her politics or her values. It's like, what does she believe in? What drives her decisions? 
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. And Tom Victor's performance as Hay added some much-needed depth to the play 
. The set design was straight fire 
, though!
. It's always so fascinating to learn more about these strong women who just kinda... existed and changed the game without anyone even realizing it 
. The chemistry between Kate and John Hay is def on point, but honestly can't we get some witty banter thrown in there for good measure? 
. I do love how the production highlights Kate's complexities, though - she's literally this calculating politician who also has these super vulnerable moments that just tug at your heartstrings 
. The set design is gorgeous, and I'm low-key tempted to redecorate my own place with those opulent vibes 
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... I mean, where's the complexity? She's got some obvious flaws too, like how she kinda uses her charm and looks to get what she wants from guys like Hay. And can we talk about how much of a mess her family is? Like, the Chases are basically just a bunch of entitled rich folk who don't care about anyone but themselves 
... Kate's story feels like it's being watered down to make her some kind of 19th-century feminist icon 
. And that Hay guy, he's got some serious baggage too - all the whispers about Lincoln and him being super close is totally glossed over in this play... The only thing that really gets me excited is how they're tackling the whole slavery and politics thing, but even that feels kinda superficial 
. And yeah, the set design was on point - that dining table was straight fire 
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. And can we talk about the dialogue? It's all dense and heavy-handed 
The chemistry between Kate and Hay is cool tho 
and I love the set design 
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. The chemistry between Kate and Hay is cool tho, but that's about where it ends 
I'm like SOOOO invested in "Our American Queen"!!! 
I loved how the play highlights Kate Chase's ambition & wit, she's literally so fierce 
, and Tom Victor as Hay is SOOOO talented 
Neal Wilkinson is like a GENIUS, I mean those gilded frames are INSANE 
. My only gripe is that Kate's story feels kinda rushed & underdeveloped, but I guess that's what makes her so intriguing right? 
The lead actress Wallis Currie-Wood is giving major Oscar vibes as Kate Chase 
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. I guess I'll stick to my history books, thanks for not trying too hard 
Kate Chase sounds like she had so much on her plate, but at the same time, she seems kinda... detached from it all? 
I wish they'd dug deeper into her thoughts and feelings behind her decisions. And omg, that set design tho! 