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

Anya Kai, reporting

The Long Island theatrical landscape is continually invigorated by companies seeking to push artistic boundaries, and at the forefront of this movement is the Modern Classics Theatre Company of Long Island (MCT). Operating as the official theatre company in residence at the BACCA Arts Center in Lindenhurst, NY, MCT is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to presenting innovative theatrical productions that focus on works—both classic and modern—that are seldom seen on Long Island. With a core commitment to non-traditional casting, the company actively invites artists of all ethnicities, gender identities, and orientations, fostering a vibrant and inclusive creative community.

---

The Production: Five Lesbians Eating Quiche

MCT’s production of Five Lesbians Eating Quiche, written by Evan Linder & Andrew Hobgood and directed by Julie Lorson, is a perfect embodiment of the company’s mission: it’s a cult-classic modern work that is as absurdly hilarious as it is socially provocative. The play, which won the 2012 New York International Fringe Festival’s Best Overall Production award, is an immersive, high-energy farce that immediately breaks the fourth wall.

Setting the Scene

The year is 1956, and the audience is invited to an “immersive soirée” hosted by the Susan B. Anthony Society for the Sisters of Gertrude Stein. The annual quiche breakfast is underway, a ritualistic celebration of sisterhood, tradition, and “eggy goodness.” The society’s motto—“No men, no meat, all manners”—clearly hints at the play’s underlying themes of sublimated desire and hidden identity in the repressive 1950s.

The Absurd Crisis and Revelation

The carefully composed manners of the “war widows” begin to crack like eggshells when the unthinkable happens: nuclear war breaks out. Trapped in their meeting hall, which doubles as a makeshift fallout shelter, the threat of annihilation brings out everyone’s true colors.

What follows is a delicious blend of absurdity and heartfelt confession. Amid air raid sirens and dwindling food supplies, the women are forced to confront their deepest secret: they are not just “widows” (a euphemism for their true sexual orientation), but lesbians. The resulting chaos, complete with sexual innuendo surrounding quiche and hysterical character breakdowns, ultimately becomes a powerful, if zany, celebration of sisterhood, identity, and embracing one’s authentic self before it’s too late. The play’s interactive nature, making the audience members “sisters” in the society, enhances the fun and the eventual, celebratory, mass “coming out.”

---

Spotlight on Samantha Wright: The School Psychologist on Stage

The production’s spirit of bold exploration and community is championed by its talented cast, including actress Samantha Wright, who plays the role of Sarah Good in a previous MCT production of The Crucible. Wright’s background is a testament to the diverse talent MCT attracts.

A Dual Life

Wright, or “Dr. Sam,” describes a unique dual life: school psychologist by day, and a “purple loving karaoke singing disney princess by night” who passionately pursues her creative side in the world of theatre. Her previous roles include a mix of genres and complexities, such as the Adult Female in Spring Awakening, Mimsy/Sheila in It Shoulda Been You, Carlotta in Phantom, and Carlino in Wait Until Dark.

Creative Process and Obstacles

For Five Lesbians Eating Quiche, Wright highlights the production as a “challenge and an opportunity to do something that I have never done before,” noting this is only her second stage play. She characterizes her creative process as largely organic, relying heavily on discussions and rehearsals rather than a rigid, intellectual approach, saying she comes about the character naturally.

Her main obstacle in creating her role was a common one for performers: self-doubt. She admitted finding it hard to “get out of my own head and trust my own ability and my own choices.” This honest reflection speaks to the vulnerability required to fully embrace the broad, comedic style of the show.

Looking Ahead

After the run of Five Lesbians Eating Quiche (which runs from Sat, Nov 08, 2025 to Sun, Nov 23, 2025 at the BACCA Arts Center), Wright is planning a brief break before shifting focus backstage to stage managing a yet-to-be-announced production at Star Playhouse, demonstrating her versatile contribution to the local theatre community. Her gratitude is heartfelt, extending to director Julie Lorson and the production team for their belief in her, and to her “fellow ladysisters” for their collaboration.

TICKET AVAILABLE AT: https://modernclassicsli.booktix.com/dept/main/e/FLEQ