Bella Bella—Triangle Productions—NE Portland

 

“Bell(a) of the Ball”

    This one-woman, live show, written by Harvey Fierstein, from the words and works of Bella Abzug, is directed by Donald Horn.  It is playing in their space at 1785 NE Sandy Blvd. (free parking lot next to the building) through December 11^th.  Be advised that full Covid protocols are in place…vaccine cards, masks, temp. check, etc.  For more information, go to their site at www.trianglepro.org or call 503-239-5919.

Where are they now?: 

Once,

There were Champions…Warriors,

Those who stood up for the

“Huddled Masses yearning to be Free.”

Once,

There was Abe and George

And Harriet and Sojourner

And Eleanor and Thurgood

And RBG and MLK…

Once,

There were Champions…

Once!

    Add to that list, Bella.  A name I had only heard about but knew little of.  But now she is my hero!  I don’t want to tell you too much about her because (and I think she would agree) you should make up your own minds when you see the show.  But, again, that was part of her philosophy, even from the third grade when she was running for an office.  You should speak your own mind and not follow the dictates of others.  And, by God, she did just that and found her place amongst the champions of history!

    The action of the play follows about an hour or so in the life of Bella Abzug (Wendy Westerwelle) on one fateful night in the Fall of 1976.  As she’s hiding out in the bathroom of Manhattan’s Summit Hotel, awaiting a decision on her bid to become New York’s first woman senator!

    As she paces the room, she ruminates for the audience some of her long career to date, as a lawyer, wife, mother, and a stint in the House of Representatives.  She was a Democrat and a liberal but always spoke her mind, which could get her in trouble at times.  But she was a fighter for the underdog, especially for Women’s Rights.  She was a vocal opponent of the Vietnam War and a believer in a woman’s right to choose.  And, of course, a woman’s right to be in politics.

    And, something sorely missing from today’s Congress, she Listened to the People, following what they needed, not what some Party line demanded.  She was a pioneer, a trailblazer, a rebel…a Champion!  And, as mentioned earlier, where are such folks now.  They are out there, I’m sure, in our Youth…such as Greta…Molalla…and others.  They are there, waiting to take up the reins she left behind and are the leaders of the Future!

    Horn never fails to be provocative, informative and entertaining in his productions, as he does here.  “May he live long and prosper.”  Firestein has always been a favorite of mine, as a writer and performer, as he does here.  And Westerwelle is a wonderful storyteller, as I could listen to her all night, as she weaves her tales of Bella!  And I think you will be equally captivated by her mesmerizing performance.

I recommend this play.  If you do choose to see it, please tell them Dennis sent you.

--DJS