Saving America and Other Plays Book

The Sisters Rosensweig is a play by feminist playwright Wendy Wasserstein that debuted in 1992. Looking in depth at what it means to be a single, middle-aged, Jewish female in the late 20th century, Wasserstein's original cast production packed a powerful punch. The Broadway production included now famous actresses Frances McDormand and Madeleine Kahn. Although probably more poignant on stage, the script also leaves the reader awed by Wasserstein's work.

The three sisters Rosensweig have gathered at the home of oldest sister Sarah Goode in London to celebrate her fifty-fourth birthday. An American ex-patriot happy to be living in England with her teenaged daughter Tess, Sarah leads a high profile life as president of the Hong Kong/Shanghai Bank. Middle sister Dr. Gorgeous Teitelbaum exudes happiness and warmth as the suburban, middle class, working mother of four who also finds time to head charitable organizations at her synagogue. Meanwhile, youngest sister Pfeni Rosensweig has just turned forty and proudly wears the label of wandering Jew. All three sisters appear happy with their chosen lifestyles.

Wasserstein in her preface to the printed edition states that she chose these personas to focus on older women. The 1970s and 1980s brought exponential advances to women in the working world and at home. No longer did women have to shoulder 100% of the second shift, especially if they had high profile jobs outside the home. Yet, some women like Pfeni and Sarah did not "have it all", choosing to divorce or remain single. Bringing her feminist perspective to the single working woman, Wasserstein delves into the inner psyche of what it means for them to choose career over family, creating multi-layered, memorable characters.

Even though Wasserstein previously won the Pulitzer for drama for The Heidi Chronicles, I enjoyed Rosensweig more as three distinct women grapple with their life choices. Sarah who on the surface is content desires companionship while Pfeni wanders the globe has an inkling of settling down. Meanwhile Gorgeous might not be the sister who has is all as everyone suspects. In touching moments, the sisters share their shortcomings and dreams and what they desire in order to achieve a happy equilibrium for the rest of their lives.

The Sisters Rosensweig gleans from other playwrights, most notably Anton Chekhov. Wasserstein desired to present a modern take on his classic The Three Sisters and does a masterful job. As Sarah, Gorgeous, and Pfeni pass on to Tess what it means to be a working, single, Jewish female in the late 20th century, Wasserstein presents that feminism comes in different forms to each individual. A play just as powerful as her Pulitzer winning drama, I rate The Sisters Rosensweig 4 bright stars.

I have no specific memories of this play, but I won't let a detail like that shut me up. No, I'm going to take a moment to complain about how there aren't enough women writing plays, and not enough plays by women being produced, and not enough women directing, and not enough women starring, etc., ad nauseum. So just to even things up a bit, and since Lin-Manuel Miranda could use a break, I propose a year of nothing but theater by and of women. A one-year ban on dudes. And if you don't have the role of producer and can't make it happen, well, then, stay home and read a play by a woman. We all need to read more plays.

Library copy