Theater at Washington and Lee

The Oldest Profession

Flournoy Playwright Festival 2006

The Oldest Profession

A Reading of Pulitzer Playwright Paula Vogel

Direction by Tom Ziegler

As Ronald Reagan enters the White House, five aging practitioners of “the oldest profession” are faced with a diminishing clientele, increased competition for their niche market, and aching joints.


Appearing in this bittersweet comedy are five Lexington divas each with decades of theatrical experience.
 
•    Betty Taylor is Mae, the one who keeps the family together.
•    Rose Gordon is the practical, no nonsense, Ursula; 
•    Ginger McNeese is Lillian, the would be showgirl; 
•    Nancy Johnstone is the faithful, hardworking Edna.
•    And finally, Shirley Ziegler plays the timid and vulnerable Vera. 



The New York Times Says THE OLDEST PROFESSION captures “Ms. Vogel’s most essential gift as a playwright: an ability to find transfixing warmth and vitality in subjects often employed to titillate or repel… This venturesome dramatist provides a transforming theatrical wit, compassion and tolerance that keeps…theatre goers hooked.”

THE FLOURNOY PLAYWRIGHT FESTIVAL IS SUPPORTED IN PART BY THE
RUTH E. FLOURNOY THEATER ENDOWMENT.

Performances