(Steinmetz Theater, Dr. Phillips) For one night only, this one-woman play took us through the life and challenges experienced by the Notorious RBG: Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the 2nd woman to serve on the United States Supreme Court.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg has become a modern-day pop icon, having affectionately earned the moniker of "Notorious RBG", a twist on fellow Brooklyn-rooted rapper's stage name "Notorious B.I.G", inspired by Ginsburg's similar approach of using language to protest.
The play was written by Tony Award-winning playwright, Rupert Holmes, and is literally a 90-minute one-person show, monologued by LA-based actress Michelle Azar. It would be exceptionally difficult to write a review separating the play from its lead actress, as Azar was the original cast member for the show when it debuted in October 2022.
Azar may have been the best actress I have had the good fortune to see perform in person. Her mannerisms, vocal inflections, and speech cadence were identical to that of Ginsburg's, who unfortunately passed away in September 2020. After watching Azar's performance for over 90 minutes, it felt as though I had watched Justice Ginsburg on stage. Occasionally, during the performance, there would be video clips reinforcing the TV moments which were being brought to life on stage. These clips strongly affirmed that Azar had fully embodied the essence of RBG, from her personality, wardrobe, and perfectly delivered quotations.
This was an extremely difficult script to memorize and deliver for a few reasons. First, many of Ginsburg's quotations have been immortalized through memes, and therefore there can be no mis-delivery, omissions, or additions to the specific verbiage. Additionally, the screenplay called to light certain arguments that Ginsburg raised in monumental court cases before the Supreme Court, which have been poured over and dissected through many law school classrooms across the world, so amending any dialogue would have triggered legal enthusiasts in the audience. Additionally, the tone and intonations in which these direct verbatims were delivered, had to be identical to the manner in which RBG originally delivered them, so there could be no room for creative interpretation or latitude. It was also demanded of Azar that certain legal cases be brought up during this show, so to recall specific names and years had to also be on point.
Azar commanded the stage. She was so convincing with her enthusiasm that when she punctuated a victorious emotion, the crowd would applaud. There were several instances throughout the night where audience members were clapping, or through the silhouettes around the auditorium you could see heads nodding in approval. Although the show called out monumental victories and accomplishments of Justice Ginsburg, the show also brought forward the pervasiveness that terminal illnesses had on her close family members, and herself specifically, with which it didn't seem that much of the audience was familiar. There were also personal and professional struggles that were referenced including former colleagues, discrimination experienced by RBG herself, and the supportive 60-year marriage she had with her husband that was also brought to light. There was one moment in particular that Azar acted out a reflective pause on stage which was probably the emotional apex of the night, and the silence across the auditorium was absolute and overwhelmingly powerful. It was during that moment that I realized that she was probably the best live actor I had witnessed in person.
Azar also slowly 'aged' throughout the evening. The show began in 'present day' as though you were sitting in RBG's personal chambers and she was speaking to the audience members as though we were seated directly across from her at her desk. As the story continued and we were going back in time to RBG's early career, Azar subtly changed her costume, stood up a bit straighter, spoke a bit more lively and upbeat, all to convey a more youthful RBG. As the show continued, and essentially as RBG's character progressed in terms of career and age, we witnessed Azar's costume slowly evolving, her speech becoming more deliberate and authoritative. Azar was absolutely brilliant on her delivery the entire evening!
My only wish for this production would be that there be more shows at each city. Azar's performance is outstanding, and deserves to be observed. I can understand the high physical demand that even our 1 night performance would have had on the actress, so the likelihood of being able to do show blocks in one city would be exhausting. With that, if you have the chance to catch this in your city, we'd strongly recommend for you to do so. RBG's story of success, perseverance, and standing up for those who otherwise could not have done so for themselves, is a message that can be appreciated by many. Azar's brilliant and outstanding delivery serve as a fitting testament to the great RBG and her unbelievable story of achievement and accomplishment.
Bailey Guinigundo
Ruth Bader Ginsburg has become a modern-day pop icon, having affectionately earned the moniker of "Notorious RBG", a twist on fellow Brooklyn-rooted rapper's stage name "Notorious B.I.G", inspired by Ginsburg's similar approach of using language to protest.
The play was written by Tony Award-winning playwright, Rupert Holmes, and is literally a 90-minute one-person show, monologued by LA-based actress Michelle Azar. It would be exceptionally difficult to write a review separating the play from its lead actress, as Azar was the original cast member for the show when it debuted in October 2022.
Azar may have been the best actress I have had the good fortune to see perform in person. Her mannerisms, vocal inflections, and speech cadence were identical to that of Ginsburg's, who unfortunately passed away in September 2020. After watching Azar's performance for over 90 minutes, it felt as though I had watched Justice Ginsburg on stage. Occasionally, during the performance, there would be video clips reinforcing the TV moments which were being brought to life on stage. These clips strongly affirmed that Azar had fully embodied the essence of RBG, from her personality, wardrobe, and perfectly delivered quotations.
This was an extremely difficult script to memorize and deliver for a few reasons. First, many of Ginsburg's quotations have been immortalized through memes, and therefore there can be no mis-delivery, omissions, or additions to the specific verbiage. Additionally, the screenplay called to light certain arguments that Ginsburg raised in monumental court cases before the Supreme Court, which have been poured over and dissected through many law school classrooms across the world, so amending any dialogue would have triggered legal enthusiasts in the audience. Additionally, the tone and intonations in which these direct verbatims were delivered, had to be identical to the manner in which RBG originally delivered them, so there could be no room for creative interpretation or latitude. It was also demanded of Azar that certain legal cases be brought up during this show, so to recall specific names and years had to also be on point.
Azar commanded the stage. She was so convincing with her enthusiasm that when she punctuated a victorious emotion, the crowd would applaud. There were several instances throughout the night where audience members were clapping, or through the silhouettes around the auditorium you could see heads nodding in approval. Although the show called out monumental victories and accomplishments of Justice Ginsburg, the show also brought forward the pervasiveness that terminal illnesses had on her close family members, and herself specifically, with which it didn't seem that much of the audience was familiar. There were also personal and professional struggles that were referenced including former colleagues, discrimination experienced by RBG herself, and the supportive 60-year marriage she had with her husband that was also brought to light. There was one moment in particular that Azar acted out a reflective pause on stage which was probably the emotional apex of the night, and the silence across the auditorium was absolute and overwhelmingly powerful. It was during that moment that I realized that she was probably the best live actor I had witnessed in person.
Azar also slowly 'aged' throughout the evening. The show began in 'present day' as though you were sitting in RBG's personal chambers and she was speaking to the audience members as though we were seated directly across from her at her desk. As the story continued and we were going back in time to RBG's early career, Azar subtly changed her costume, stood up a bit straighter, spoke a bit more lively and upbeat, all to convey a more youthful RBG. As the show continued, and essentially as RBG's character progressed in terms of career and age, we witnessed Azar's costume slowly evolving, her speech becoming more deliberate and authoritative. Azar was absolutely brilliant on her delivery the entire evening!
My only wish for this production would be that there be more shows at each city. Azar's performance is outstanding, and deserves to be observed. I can understand the high physical demand that even our 1 night performance would have had on the actress, so the likelihood of being able to do show blocks in one city would be exhausting. With that, if you have the chance to catch this in your city, we'd strongly recommend for you to do so. RBG's story of success, perseverance, and standing up for those who otherwise could not have done so for themselves, is a message that can be appreciated by many. Azar's brilliant and outstanding delivery serve as a fitting testament to the great RBG and her unbelievable story of achievement and accomplishment.
Bailey Guinigundo
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