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(L to R: Heather Mae Steffen (Diana), Diana Tasca (Betty), Stephani Crowley (Ruth), Jennifer Sorkin-Kopp (Sidney); Photo credit: Michael Craig/The Pear) 

Stephanie Crowley leads the book club as Ruth, branch manager of the library. Ms. Crowley delivers a calm, collected Ruth, with a deep-seated hatred for the NAZIs who infiltrate the town and use the library as their local headquarters. Ms. Crowley’s balance of motherly love for her club members and strong presence opposite the several NAZI characters gives Ruth a well-rounded, likeable character.  Diane Tasca delivers a sincere, purely delightful performance as Betty, the eldest member of the book club. Each of the four women who comprise the club have a monologue describing their path to hating NAZIs and how they came to join the group, and Ms. Tasca’s monologue is a fabulous telling of how her, now-deceased, ex-husband was the reason for her membership. Heather Mae Steffen plays Diana, the youngest of the club and also a yoga instructor. The juxtaposition of how at peace Diana is when in yoga mode and how aggressively “stabby” she is when facing a NAZI soldier is handled perfectly by Ms. Steffen. The camaraderie Betty and Diana share is an endearing friendship, crossing over the age gap in the contexts of yoga, books, and drunken karaoke, and Ms. Steffen and Ms. Tasca handle this B-plot friendship wonderfully.

(L to R: Jennifer Sorkin-Kopp (Sidney), Heather Mae Steffen (Diana), Diana Tasca (Betty), Stephanie Crowley (Ruth), Jim Johnson (Bob); Photo credit: Michael Craig/The Pear)

Jennifer Sorkin-Kopp plays the badass, outspoken, rap-loving Sidney, also an employee at the library. Ms. Sorkin-Kopp’s spitfire insults and chemistry opposite the other ladies is infectious, genuine, and comes across as incredibly natural. Jim Johnson is perfectly cast as Bob, local townsperson who watches the books the ladies are reading. Yes, you read that correctly: the film versions of the discussed classics are better suited for Bob’s interest and participation. Mr. Johnson’s genial demeanor and quiet charisma makes his Bob a genuinely delightful performance to watch. Michael Weiland is a charming Sheriff Horowitz, strongest when in his scenes opposite Ms. Crowley and Ms. Sorkin-Kopp. John Morrison is a boisterous Buck, the NAZI soldier assigned to the library. Mr. Morrison’s saunter and disposition allows for Buck to have more than just surface-level prejudice, but he has an actual alluring interest that makes his despicable qualities all the more entertaining to watch.

John Morrison’s direction is quite good, elevating the moments of levity, ridiculous spoof-like fight sequences, and giving careful focus to the moments of poignant political commentary. Though there is an ill-placed intermission, the script is tight and fluid, made all the more enjoyable by Mr. Morrison’s staging. Mr. Kopp helps his own cause with a superb scenic design, filled with books, decorative and functional chairs, and some cleverly hidden surprises. The lighting is very precise and allows for the several two-person scenes to be given their due focus outside of the grander scope of the play’s mood. For a lively, unique, and altogether enjoyable evening at the theatre, make sure you catch this world premiere at the Pear before it’s too late!

Details:

Girls Kills NAZIs runs through December 2nd

The Pear Theatre in Mountain View, CA