By David Stocker
Guest contributor | Rock River Current
Get our newsletter
West Side Show Room theater company has another hit.
As we all learn how to be in public again, make plans to go see this play. Be prepared to laugh your tail feathers off. The ensemble of madcap players brings to life the story of a small team of rebel Russian women who went up against Vladimir Putin back when poking the bear wasn’t cool. They did it boldly and they did it as performance art. The persecution of these women and their plight in and out of prison, which continues to this day, has attracted world media attention.
Pussy Riot emboldened numerous women’s voices and helped set the stage for 4.1 million people to join the global Women’s March on the day after President Trump’s inauguration. Barbara Hammond’s play “We Are Pussy Riot” cajoles and goads the audience to know what really began in March 2012 and what came after.
When Mike Werckle, artistic director of West Side Show Room, decided to produce this play, no one knew its run in Rockford would coincide with the horrific Russian invasion of Ukraine. Set against the backdrop of today, the play takes on a mind-blowing relevance.
Related: ‘Everything you’re watching it’s true and worse’: Rockford launches relief fund for Ukrainian sister city
Get a new view of Putin and how he got to be what he is. Follow WSSR’s hempen homespuns in this satire as Russian authoritarian rule meets the power of these women’s art. The play shouts revolution in hilarious Russian accents. But dear readers, it is also a play beyond Russia. Presenting a critical view of patriarchy, autocrats, bully empires and in general sticking a finger (umm..which one?) in the eye of capitalist domination. That is why the Pussy Riot performance art happened in the first place. And reverberation into the western mind is perhaps also the playwright’s intent. We get plenty of opportunities to join the riotous jeers of the actors and boo the villains. In Brechtian fashion this story gives us a chance to see the world while laughing so hard we might catch ourselves crying. And after the show, we may take this story with us as we return to a world that is increasingly entranced with the drums of war, and the 24/7 droning of the celebrity media.
(review continues below photo)
About the actors: The three strong female leads Elise Campbell, Sierra Goddard, and Ky Rankin hold the center of the story, crafting their characters outside the lunatic comedy of the ensemble. Camden Sabathne as jailed dissident Sergei brought a wonderful poignancy. Kevin Poole takes the despot Putin into his own hilarious riot. The unstoppable Carolyn Cadigan’s half-cocked Nanci Pelosi look-alike Russian high court judge — oh I had trouble breathing. I was laughing so hard. To the ensemble: What can I say, this company has moxie — well played all.
Related: Downtown Rockford lounge aims to foster Rockford’s creative community
Rockford, here’s a diversion from CNN for one night. After a great opening last weekend during ArtScene, get your tickets online. If you need, take advantage of pay-what-you-can on Friday nights (an extraordinary generosity of this new playhouse on North Main two doors up from The Norwegian restaurant.) This upstart theater and its worthy ensemble have somehow made it through pandemic to deliver a series of great shows over the last three years. This play is about to be the talk of the town, don’t miss out.
Know before you go | ‘We Are Pussy Riot’
What: “We Are Pussy Riot” by Barbara Hammond
Where: The West Side Show Room, 1414 N. Main St., Rockford
When: April 21-May 15; 8 p.m. Thursday-Friday; 7 p.m. Sunday
Tickets: $20 adults; $10 students; free on Fridays
Information: wssr.org
Contact: contact@wssr.org
David Stocker is a theater critic. He grew up in the UK and earned a masters degree in acting from Yale School of Drama. He came to Rockford and destroyed his acting credibility in a role as a community activist for which he received a distinguished Point of Light award from President George Bush the First.