Drama Queens, a five-star arts journal focusing on female artists

Nestled in the downtown strip of Lindenhurst sits a small but mighty theater; the BACCA Arts Center. The Modern Classics Theatre Company presented “POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive” by Serena Fillinger. On Saturday, July 27th I got the honor of watching their second to last showing. Not only was it refreshing and fun, (in an otherwise tumultuous political climate), but it was also beyond a delight! Boisterous, hilarious, and addictingly inappropriate! 

To start, I immediately was welcomed in by Julie Larson, the Publicity Coordinator of The Modern Classics Theatre Company of Long Island. She was extremely kind, and it was obvious that everyone involved was passionate about both the showing and the audience’s experience. I appreciated that even with the lack of space in the building, every part of the theater was utilized. This is an impressive part to director Lynn Antunovich. There were many chaotic scenes that required different conversations and plot points to happen simultaneously, and the swap between them was very entertaining. There were actresses running on, in front of, and around the stage. It kept me absorbed and hungry for the next beat of the performance.

And speaking of performances, these women were phenomenal. The fast paced dialogue is coated in delicious sarcasm and filled with hilarious jabs. There are a  barrage of jokes that knock you over as soon as the lights go on and don’t let you get up until it’s over. We open with witty and sharp banter between Chief of Staff (Staci Rosenberg-Simons) and Press Secretary (Lindsay Sanchez) and the vibe of the show is instilled. Every scene ramps the stakes of this group of stressed out girlbosses cleaning after the President’s newest blunder. And with the stakes rising, the efficiency of containing the chaos was incredible. While so much is happening, you know what’s going on, and that’s thanks to the way these ladies worked together. The background acting was never over the top, but rather a treat for you to notice. Also, the physical comedy, notably The Secretary (Stephanie Moreau), was priceless. Each woman represented their character flawlessly, “His Wife” (Sheilah Barksdale) a sarcastic and funny first lady, “His Dalliance” (Sara Meade) a charming and adorable mistress,  “A journalist” (Magda Labonte-Blaise) thirsty for her next story, clever and brilliant, and “His Sister” (Laurie Atlas) was riotous, raunchy, and constantly getting into hijinks and tomfoolery.

On a final note, this show knocked it out of the park for me. It is a timeless piece, and reflective of the world we have and still live in today. I left that night feeling comforted in the sense of community, women centered productions can be few and far between, and I hope these ladies can put this show on again. I urge the surrounding theaters to take it on in the future! Until then, look forward to the next production: “Of Mice and Men” from September 28 to October 13th at the BACCA Arts Center. More information can be found on The Modern Classics Theatre Company Facebook page and website.