Editor’s note 10/13/2026: When I originally published, I hadn’t received the production photos from the Contructivists. But now that I have them, I am just going to intersperse them and keep the original logo and head shots that I used.
With a title like 5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche, you aren’t quite sure whether to expect a heartfelt drama or a delightful comedy. I am here to report, that you will be delighted. And yes, I had a clue that this was going to be an over the top comedy from the cheeky advertising and promotional bits.
The Susan B. Anthony Society for the Sister of Gertrude Stein proudly welcomes you to The 1956 Annual Quiche Breakfast, and you are all members in good standing and thank you for bringing your quiche. And the organization’s motto is? No Men, No Meat, All Manners! Don’t forget to put on your name tag, it may be of importance as we celebrate. A little side note, it’s all about the eggs!
Writers Evan Linder and Andrew Hobgood have written a non-stop farce of hysterical comedy and director Joe Lino pushes it as far as it will go, getting over the top excitability, manic chaos, and crises responses from his cast.
Our story opens as we are sitting in the society’s hall and four of the officers enter in a boisterous anticipatory gaggle. They greet the membership and take notes and photos. And they twitter and shout and shriek their conversations in their excitement, as the quiche breakfast is really a thing for them. It would be an understatement to say the excitement is palpable because it is actually tangible. The energy expended here is off the charts crazy. Why are they milling about waiting for something?
Well, that something, is the prize winning best quiche which society president, Lulie Stanwyck, is warming up. When it is ready, she brings it to the table mid-set with great fanfare and dignity. Kellie Wambold presents Lulie as a woman in control and comfortable with her authority. And Wambold’s Lulie can also be a bit vindictive and has a long term memory about a quiche sin committed by another member. She enjoys making that member, Marjory, an audience member, uncomfortable, always. Later Wambold sheds that authoritative stance when she is forced to reveal a secret that goes against the theme of the society.
Emily Harris, as secretary Dale Prist, is one of the most excitable characters on stage. She presents a Dale who is both direct and curious at times. Dale has found a photo in the archives of the society founder and hangs it in the meeting room. The accomplished rough cut woman in the photo is stern and proud and looks remarkably like executive producer and Contructivists founder Jaimelyn Gray. When Lulie discovers the portrait, Wambold pulls herself to her full height and in a demanding tone, asks, who did this? And all of the others cower until Dale meekly admits her transgression and Lulie goes all sentimental and applause and back slaps are shared around the room. This is just the first example of the impulsive nature that Harris portrays for Dale.
And now it’s time to taste the winning quiche. Four of the officers grab their forks and surround the table. And Aly Rader, as secretary Ginny Cadbury is boxed out. Rader has been playing Ginny as a bit excitable in person but with a prim and proper side when she is taking notes or updating the meeting agenda, doing her secretarial stuff. But she takes her disappointment in hand and Rader just shoves everyone else aside and leaps onto the table and just goes face down in the quiche. All of the rest of us are appalled particularly given the all manners mantra. But there may be a bit of a hmmm to consider too.
Bree Kazinski plays a very organized and get it done Vern Schultz, who is the building and grounds official. Kazinski loves explaining the security measures she has taken to protect their clubhouse. Remember, it’s 1956 and we are in the middle of the Cold War…and Vern has built an effective fall out shelter. But as you hear the different features you have to wonder if all of them are good ideas. Given her initial calm and decorum, when things start to go south, Kazinski seems to take charge…seems to. And Wren Robin is the events chairwoman and played by Anya Palmer. Palmer is just one of the excitable women at first but takes on a more studied persona until she finally comes out to all of us in the room. But I am jumping ahead in the story.
Yes, it is 1956 and all of the members of the society are ‘widows’, closeted lesbians. Until all hell breaks loose. That actual event that Vern was preparing for occurs during their breakfast and they are now trapped in their bunker for four years. It is at this point that they can cast aside their pretense. Considering themselves to be the only survivors in the U.S, they one by one take up the process of admitting their actual sexual identities. And four of our stalwarts, the original four to enter the stage, affirm that they are lesbians…but Lulie hangs behind until she admits that she may be bi and is three months pregnant by a man. This starts an entirely new train of thought and concerns and tragedy strikes. I will leave it at that.
Beyond being a bit of absurdist comedy at times, the play also breaks the normal play vs. audience fourth wall as actors interact with the audience, asking questions, telling stories, etc, etc, etc. We are all, after all, also members of The Susan B. Anthony Society for the Sister of Gertrude Stein, and your name tag will have your society name. I am Nancy, it’s a pleasure to meet you. And we will be asked to chant the society name at times and clap for society activities and speeches. You will find it difficult to remain passive here.
5 Lesbians Eating A Quiche will be presented by The Contructivists from now through October 24, 2026 at PATH (Pink’s Accessible Theater Home), 1104 Historic W Mitchell St, Milwaukee. There is plenty of on street parking. I don’t see a run time on the website but it is about 90 minutes and there is no intermission.
More Information Here. And Tickets Here!
And next time, mimosas?
