Anya Kai, reporting
The Modern Classics Theatre Company of Long Island (MCT), the official company in residence at the BACCA Arts Center in Lindenhurst, NY, continues its mission of staging innovative, seldom-seen modern and classic works with its upcoming production of the award-winning comedy, Five Lesbians Eating Quiche. This non-profit 501(c)(3) organization is a champion of non-traditional casting and diversity, creating a vibrant space for local artists to explore challenging and unique material.
The Production: Quiche, Cold War, and Confessions
The play, written by Evan Linder & Andrew Hobgood and directed by Julie Lorson, is a triumphant blend of satire and immersive comedy. It won the Best Overall Production award at the 2012 New York International Fringe Festival and has since become a cult favorite. Tickets available at https://modernclassicsli.booktix.com/dept/main/e/FLEQ
An Immersive Soirée
The setting is 1956, and the audience is immediately drawn in as “sisters” attending the annual quiche breakfast of The Susan B. Anthony Society for the Sisters of Gertrude Stein. The event, guided by the society’s motto—“No men, no meat, all manners”—uses ritual and a devotion to “eggy goodness” to thinly veil the true, suppressed nature of its “war widows.” The play is inherently interactive, with the audience’s participation essential to the community’s sense of shared identity and eventual release.
Annihilation and Authenticity
The plot’s catalyst is both high-stakes and absurd: a nuclear war breaks out, trapping the women in their meeting hall/fallout shelter. This existential threat shatters the carefully composed manners of the 1950s, forcing the characters to confront their deepest, long-hidden truths. The resulting chaos is equal parts absurd and heartfelt, culminating in joyful, cathartic revelations that go “far beyond their shared love of quiche” and firmly embrace their identities as lesbians. The comedy uses the ridiculousness of the Cold War paranoia to satirize societal repression and celebrate queer sisterhood.
Spotlight on Deborah Rupy: The Organic Comedian
Among the talented ensemble cast bringing this farcical world to life is actress Deborah Rupy, who is cast in the pivotal role of Wren (a role she shares with Laurie Atlas, suggesting a double-cast or rotating performance). Rupy brings a background rich in original and classical theatre to the production.
A Deep-Rooted Theatre Background
Deborah Rupy holds a BA in Theatre from Oneonta State and honed her skills at the renowned Abbey Theatre in Ireland. She has a particular passion for original works, having portrayed Mary in Caretaker of Corofin—a role based on her own experiences in Ireland—at Theatre for the New City in NYC. Her list of favorite roles spans genres and time periods, showcasing her range, from Miss Marple in A Murder is Announced and Aunt Eileen in The Cripple of Inishmaan to gender-bent classical roles like Falstaff in The Merry Wives of Windsor and Queen Margaret in Richard the III.
Creative Process and Character Connection
Rupy’s motivation for joining the production was simple: “When I read the script, I laughed a lot.” This innate connection to the material’s humor is key to navigating its over-the-top tone.
Her creative process is described as organic, focusing on learning through doing and feeling things out on stage with her cast mates. Notably, Rupy found “absolutely none” in the way of obstacles for creating her role, immediately connecting with the character of Wren. She noted that she finds the character “a lot like my mother – well not the lesbian part – but it comes naturally.” This quick, natural connection promises an authentic and fully realized comedic performance.
Looking Ahead
Following the high-energy run of Five Lesbians Eating Quiche, Deborah Rupy plans to take a well-deserved break which will include a trip to Poland, reflecting the balance of intense artistic commitment and personal rest often sought by devoted community performers.
OUTER-STAGE 