A very fine production of Wendy Wasserstein’s last play, “Third,” has been mounted by Langhorne Players and runs through Sept. 17.
Wasserstein was a major American playwright who deserves your attention. Most critics and theater lovers, myself included, would argue her entire work should really be seen as she so skillfully examines how feminism and being an ordinary woman can be in conflict with each other or, at least, present difficult questions.
Wasserstein was given the Pulitzer Prize for “The Heidi Chronicles.” Continuing to examine many of the same issues, in her last play before her passing, “Third” examines the same theme but at a later stage in life.
The story is about a star teacher, Laurie Jameson (Susan Blair), at a very progressive New England college, who teaches Elizabethan drama. Her student, Woodson Bull III, nicknamed “Third” (Thomas Wick), represents all the things that she has fought against in her life. He represents the white male power structure and undeserved privilege. He is there on a wrestling scholarship. He is a legacy student, the third in his family to go to this school.
Third has written a very insightful paper on “King Lear,” which she does not agree with but it is smart and well thought out. She accuses him of plagiarizing it but has no proof. She brings him up on charges to the academic board, which her friend and fellow professor, Nancy Gordon (Laurie Hardy), is on. Nancy is struggling with cancer.
In the third part of her life, like “King Lear,” Jameson tries to hold on to relevance, as she struggles to hold on to her own world view and perhaps her own legacy. All this is occurring, while contending with both a father, Jack (Russ Walsh), facing dementia and dealing with a daughter, Emily (Olivia Bryne), who is trying to find her own identity, away from the shadow of her mother.
Consistently, the Langhorne Players puts out the best plays that no other area theater is doing. It is why the area’s best actors flock to their stage. They want a chance to do something different with a message that make people think.
I went opening night, with a pretty full house. These actors were a true ensemble and delight to watch. The play is dense with great moments. As the run progresses, they will find more and more connective tissue between their characters as they continue to being in the moment. Yes, these actors are that good.
In a world of polarization, Wasserstein wrote about the problems of liberal absolutism. It harkens to the Bertrand Russell quote: “The problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts.” Enlighten yourself. See this funny, thought-provoking show. Tickets are available at langhorneplayers.org.
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