EXPRESSING WILLIE

EXPRESSING WILLIE by Rachel Crothers is a clever comedy about a man, who through the urging of his mother finds himself obscenely wealthy in Long Island. With newfound money and an increased ego, Willie Smith finds himself in an unfamiliar plane, involved with free thinkers and all that accompanies sordid wealth – until his former unsophisticated girlfriend arrives and pits Midwestern values against the idle rich. By the time Willie realizes he has been a self-centered fool, it may be too late.... Before The Great Gatsby (some even say it inspired F. Scott Fitzgerald), Rachel Crothers wrote about this obscenely wealthy group of Long Islanders. The play takes place inside a ridiculously magnificent Italian Mansion with all the ‘down-home warmth of the Metropolitan Museum'. John Corbin of the NY times wrote in April of 1924 "A very wonderful thing happened last night in the theatre" and went on to praise every aspect of Expressing Willie – highlighting its satiric comedy! Other reviews of the time say "60 seconds of delight for every minute of stage time!" This was an audience favorite of the year and played for 281 performances.

The production stars Maria Silverman as Minnie, Ann Parker as Mrs. Smith, Rhonda Ayers as Taliaferro, Wynne Anders as Dolly, Michael Frederic as George, Dan Jacoby as Willie, Simone Lazer as Frances, and Akiva Penaloza as Footman