Philadelphia, PA — As part of its 2026-2027 Season, The Old Academy Players is proud to present The Women, a 1936 satirical comedy by American author Clare Boothe Luce. The Old Academy Players’ 554th production will run September 18-October 4, 2026; Friday and Saturday performances at 8:00 pm and Sunday matinées at 2:00 pm. It is presented by special arrangement with Concord Theatricals, Inc.
Ann Clare Boothe was born on March 10, 1903 in New York City to a former dancer and a violinist. Years later — following in her parents’ artistic footsteps — she would become a world renowned playwright and author as well as a famed journalist, politician, diplomat, and women’s rights activist, one of the most iconic women and figures of the 20th century. She was the first American woman appointed to a major ambassadorial post abroad. Her writings extended from drama and screen scenarios to fiction, journalism, and war reportage.
In 1923 at age 20, she entered into a marriage (arranged by her mother) to millionaire heir to a New York clothing fortune, George Tuttle Brokaw, 23 years her senior. They had one daughter, Ann, together, but Clare divorced him in 1929. After her divorce, Boothe worked as a caption writer for Vogue photography and a journalist for Vanity Fair. Her satire and insight as a journalist quickly led to her becoming associate editor and then managing editor of Vanity Fair before leaving the magazine in 1934.
Her first play, Abide with Me, a serious marital melodrama, was produced in New York 1935 and ran for 36 performances from November 21 until December. It was not successful with audiences or critics, but dealt with the topic of domestic abuse and was perhaps partially influenced by her relationship with Brokaw. On November 23, 1935 she married Henry Luce, publisher of Time, Life and Fortune.
Her next play was a satirical comedy, The Women. Following a premiere December 7, 1936, at the Forrest Theatre in Philadelphia. PA, The Women opened December 26, 1936, at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre in New York City. The original Broadway production was directed by Robert B. Sinclair, and ran for 657 performances with an all-female cast that included: Margalo Gillmore, Ilka Chase, Betty Lawford, Jessie Busley, Phyllis Povah, Marjorie Main, and Arlene Francis. A story of marriage and women (with a cast of no fewer than 40 actresses) in the 1930s society of the Great Depression, The Women received public and critical acclaim and contributed to her increasing popularity as a literary and political figure in the United States. The 1939 film version was directed by George Cukor and starred Norma Shearer and Joan Crawford.
Synopsis of The Women: Contented, kindly Mary Haines, a well-off woman living in New York City, is the envy of her friends, boasting a wholesome, happy marriage, adorable children, and a comfortable home. Unfortunately, she is living in a fool’s paradise…which her tactless friend, the gossip-hungry Sylvia Fowler, discovers, when a favored manicurist spills the beans: Mary’s husband Stephen Haines has been nabbed by Crystal Allen, a sultry, gold-digging man-eater, who sets her traps behind the perfume counter at Saks Fifth Avenue. Mary’s painful dilemma is created: Should she keep silent, keep her marriage, and condone her husband’s cheating ways…or divorce him, making way for a rival to step into her place?
Old Academy Players’ stellar cast is comprised of eighteen individuals playing the roles of 40+ characters. Lead characters are played by: Nicole Gerenyi as Mary (Mrs. Haines), Corynn Smith as Sylvia (Mrs. Fowler), Chloe Richter as Crystal Allen, Daria Husseinzadeh as Edith (Mrs. Potter), and Sonya Aiko Hearn as Nancy (Miss Blake). Supporting roles listed and additional roles are played by: Sally Lomanno as Jane (the maid), Kimberly Hess as Mrs Morehead (Mary’s mother), Kelci Schlierf as Peggy (Mrs. Day), Linda Palmarozza as Countess Flora de Lage, Paige Noelle as Miriam Aarons, Dale Mezzacappa as Instructress, and Lisa Fromica as Olga. Eva Callista is cast as the 1st Girl/model, Anna Kaminetz is cast as 2nd Girl. Both Jiva Shahani and Marie Slavin alternate as Little Mary. Michelle Slaven and Palak Shahani alternate as the Debutante.
The Women is directed by Loretta Lucy Miller and produced by Jerry Jennings, Joan Shupp and Randy Shupp. Costumes are provided by Helga Krauss and Jane Jennings. Tech is provided by Carla Childs and Sarah Labov.
Ticket prices are: $25 per adult; $15 for Students under 25 with valid ID; group rate (15 or more) $21 each. Tickets can be purchased online at www.OldAcademyPlayers.org. Reservations and more information can be obtained by calling the Box Office at 215-843-1109. Advance tickets are highly recommended. Old Academy Players is located at 3544 Indian Queen Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19129. Parking for all performances is free.
The Old Academy Players has provided continuous community theater entertainment since 1923 and is a non-profit community theater in the East Falls neighborhood of Philadelphia. Constructed in 1819, the Old Academy building has been the OAP home since 1932. Old Academy Players is a member of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance. Most notable alumni include Tony Award-nominated actor Robert Prosky and Hollywood icon, Grace Kelly. Support is provided by the “Philadelphia Cultural Fund” and the “Sylvia W. and Randle M. Kauders Foundation”.
Theater/Organization: Old Academy Players
Theater Address: 3544 Indian Queen Lane Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19129 (Map It)
Theater Phone: (215) 843-1109
