There is something so powerful about a Wendy Wasserstein play. I love how she shows, in great detail, the issues that women face in this society, the double standard that starkly exists, and how women have to negotiate an unfair path.
With her latest work, “An American Daughter,” playing at the Irene Diamond Stage at The Pershing Square Signature Center on 42nd St., we are given the story of a very brilliant doctor who is being considered to be the Surgeon General. It is September 1997, and Lyssa Dent Hughes has long championed women’s health issues. She has always been in public service, carrying on the traditions of public service demonstrated by her father, Republican senator Alan Hughes, though she and her father are on opposite sides of the political fence. (She is also a descendant of Ulysses S. Grant.) Lyssa has distinguished herself in many ways fighting for women’s choice and championing women’s health causes. She is a mother of two sons, a wife to Walter Abrahmson, a professor who craves more notoriety.
Lyssa has a strong relationship with her childhood friend Dr. Judith Kaufman, a Black Jewish woman. These two ladies have been through thick and thin together. They know each other’s strengths and weaknesses, and are able to have very candid conversations about their lives, their desires, their disappointments.
Once Lyssa’s nomination is announced, it attracts media attention. Timber Tucker asks to interview her and her family for his TV show. During the interview, Lyssa and Walter’s family friend Morrow is present, along with Lyssa’s father and stepmother Charlotte and Quincy Quince, a former student of Walter’s who has written a popular feminist book and is on a book tour. Quincy is ambitious and will do anything to make a name for herself. During the interview with Tucker, Morrow brings up a mishap that occurred in Lyssa’s life and this oversight causes the public and media to go crazy. They go after Lyssa with venom and gusto.
Wasserstein poignantly, brutally, and brilliantly screams the double standard that exists for women in this country. She shows how an issue that would have been ignored for a man is blasted out of proportion for a woman. She shows how public scrutiny and media harassment can destroy someone’s life. It’s interesting and disturbing to have the double standard in this country so clearly defined. One also sees how attempting to achieve the American Dream can be a nightmare for a strong, accomplished woman. Society is frightened by a woman who is doing the right thing and is confident in her own abilities.
The cast of this production is exquisite in their delivery of this disturbing tale. Jean Lichty is remarkable in the role of Lyssa as she takes on public scrutiny, media attacks, betrayal, and infidelity. Montego Glover as Dr. Judith Kaufman is witty and successful, but has her own personal demons of self-doubt and disappointment that she is struggling with. Through it all, these two women manage to be each other’s support. Robert Sean Leonard is marvelous as Walter, a man who struggles with his own insecurities. Dakin Matthews is amusing and charming as Senator Alan Hughes. Mary Beth Peil is engaging as Charlotte, or “Chubby,” the Senator’s most recent wife. Carmen Zilles has gusto as the ambitious, seductive Quincy Quince. Ryan Spahn is mesmerizing as Morrow, the gay friend who speaks his mind regardless of the consequences. Chris Ghaffari is impressive as Timber Tucker. He is a journalist who knows the power of the piece he is about to put on the air, but also knows that he has to do his job, even if it means destroying someone. Will DeVary is intriguing as Billy Robbins, a spin man brought in to help fix Lyssa’s image. The elements of this production are brought together poignantly by the stunning direction of Sarna Lapine. The technical team includes Mikiko Suzuki MacAdams, set design; Risa Ando, costume consultant; Alan C. Edwards, lighting design; and Darron L. West, sound design.
Make plans to see La Femme Theatre Productions, “An American Daughter,” playing through September 20, 2026. For tickets, visit lafemmetheatreproductions.org.
