“Chicks in Heaven” is one of Creative Cauldron’s “bold new voices” premieres, featuring original words and music by women, the vision of the founding artistic director, Laura Connors Hull, who directs “Chicks.”
The ladies fulfill the mission.

It’s the world debut for Carol Lee Campbell’s memorable production which is sure to please theatre goers who welcome contemporary topics to the stage. A distinctive cast of seven address racism, reproductive and religious rights, book banning and burning.

Plus, the divide between urban and rural populations.

Campbell teaches women and gender studies at Northern Virginia and Germanna community colleges. She began work on the play in 2018 and, with an evolving script and influenced by events of 2020, notably George Floyd’s death, she settles her “Chicks” in Floyd, Virginia, an actual place in the southwestern part of the state, which, in a telephone interview, she labeled “a quirky little town in the middle of a conservative area.”

Four old friends (in their 50s) meet for a reunion in an antique shop in Floyd.

“Who called this meeting?” the group seems to ask the host, Frances (Karen Lange) when they all arrive and get together for wine, some fun times (maybe) and what becomes serious discussions.

They vary in perspectives and enjoyment of life. Campbell says her characters were initially based on her own friends whose personalities she changed to each carry trademarks of her own identity.

Being a mother, for example, has its challenges, Campbell said, with “so much emotional anguish” which she channels into Fran whose daughter is absent, having joined a cult.

Fran is the respectful, open-minded member of the group, able to listen and respect different opinions which do not match her own while Emmaline (Krista Grimmett) is strident, harsh and uncompromising. Her character is counterbalanced by the graceful weaver of tales and spirits, Tatianna (Pauline Lamb) who tries to lead the ladies in enlightening experiences.

Mindy (Audrey Baker) rounds out the group of “sisters,” a nicey mousy woman who almost befriends the antagonist, Sophie (Charlene Sloan), when they meet in a teasing “Come to Jesus” moment.

Sophie’s politics are opposite liberal leanings and, in case anyone is unsure, her necklace with a cross says it loud and clear. Her delivery is the strongest of all the women and she lets them know it.

She supplies a few moments of rare humor in the play when she pauses to pray and fan herself, catching her breath during an upsetting conversation with Mindy.

In the first act the script hints at a relationship between Sophie’s son, Conrad (performed convincingly by Ben RIbler) and Phoenix (Creative’s versatile artistic associate, Lenny Mendez), a teen girl here who listens to discussions by the four friends.

An unforgettable scene with James Morrison’s projections and Lynn Joslin’s red lights and shadows mix for a gaudy nightmare to haunt Phoenix who dances slowly in her dream about Conrad (choreography by Sylvana Christopher).

Meanwhile, mother and son take a car ride to make for another effective visual scene with a typical teen/parent conversation, a nice contrast to the four friends’ conversations at the shop.

Collaborating with her husband, David Graziano, Campbell has composed seven original songs for “Chicks” which are some of the play’s highlights, the best reserved for the harmonies by the quartet. (Merissa Anne Driscoll assisted with musical arrangements.)

Creative set designer Margie Jervis has fitted the antique shop nicely with chairs hanging from the ceiling, vintage dolls and a dated refrigerator door which shields characters and food, all the objects combining to give the stage an authentic “antique” feel which easily transitions to a coffee shop and more.

Campbell calls her work “a feminist play” whose characters wonder if they are still relevant. The content may be off-putting to some, but for the progressive Falls Church community, it’s right…err, left.

Creative Cauldron invites all to contribute to its fundraising campaign on its move to 5,000 square feet in the new building going up at North Washington and East Broad streets. This year will end its shows at 410 South Maple.

“Chicks in Heaven” runs through April 28, 2024 at 7:30 p.m., Thursday through Saturday nights; 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Sundays, and a special performance at 2 p.m., Saturday, April 27. Prices start at $35, with discounts of $5 for groups of 10 or more; $20, students; or watch it live stream for $15.