eveningsout

interesting thing of Nancy Drew is, ke most books for

ung women and girls in the 30%, she didn't rely on men to

her."

October 22, 1999

GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

Elaine Feagler, Mary Prevel and Liz Huff,

left to right, in The Clue at the Old Bird Bath.

A 1930s storybook sleuth becomes a feminist icon

by Dan Hlad

Cleveland-When the word feminist is uttered, the traditional foremothers likely come to mind: Eleanor Roosevelt, Alice Paul, Nancy Drew.

Nancy Drew? Okay, maybe not you're first and most endearing image of feminism, but Red Hen Productions, Cleveland's feminist theatre, hope their latest production, The Clue in the Old Birdbath, will convince you of the young detective's feminist legacy.

The Nancy Drew book series began in the 1930s and was considered fairly progressive, according to the production's director, Karen Gygli.

"The interesting thing about Nancy Drew is, unlike most books for young women and girls in the '30s, she didn't rely on men to save her," she said.

Gygli acknowledges that the series did change during the conservative 1950s, when Drew developed into a more traditionally submissive female character who

STOP

ended up being saved by her boyfriends and father.

The Clue in the Old Birdbath, written by Sandra de Helen and Kate Kasten, has an all-female cast that interprets the Nancy Drew series.

Even lead character Tansy True is a feminist variation of Nancy Drew.

The musical parody expands upon the feminist ideals of the books and television series, while recognizing and challenging assumptions the series made about class, gender, sexual orientation and race.

"This production takes the stereotypes and turns them on their heads," said Gygli, who cites the all-female cast, cross-gender casting and lesbian characters as a few examples.

Out lesbian actress Mary Prevel plays Tansy's tomboy friend Joe Payne, a spoof on the male George character in the original series.

Prevel says the opportunity to play in this production is like a breath of fresh air for her as a woman and a feminist.

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"I've looked at a lot of scripts for women and very few made me proud,” she said. "There are a lot of crappy, insulting roles out there for women.'

Prevel says the most important aspect of this production is that it celebrates lesbians and provides needed entertainment for the community.

"Lesbian plays don't come along very often," she said. “There isn't a lot of entertainment about us and for us."

Gygli promises that if you still don't think of Nancy Drew as a feminist, lesbian-friendly icon, you will by the revealing end of this production.

The production runs Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm through November 6 at Pilgrim Church, 2592 West 14th Street in Cleveland's Tremont neighborhood.

The show will also tour the area with stops at Case Western Reserve University on October 27, 7:00 pm; Lakeland Community College in Mentor on October 31, 2:00 pm; Loganberry Books, 12633 Larchmere Ave. on November 3, 7:00 pm; and John Carroll University on November 12 and 13, 8:00 pm. Tickets are $12 and can be reserved at 216-661-4301.

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