Love conquers all… right?

Picnic by William Inge centers around 5 lonely women in 1950’s small-town American backyards of two houses; one is owned by Flo Owens, who lives there with her two daughters, and the other belongs to Helen Potts, Flo’s next-door neighbor. Each woman wants something more out of their lives; love and a happy future. It explores the details of the lives within this female atmosphere as well as how these women are affected by the men in their lives – especially the mysterious newcomer named Hal Carter of which several of the women appear to be smitten. 

The play starts focusing on your typical 1950’s teen tropes. One of the teen girls, named Madge, is known for her beauty. The other is her younger sister, Millie, who seems to be the complete opposite of Madge. She’s quick-witted and intelligent, but she’s more of a tomboy. Despite their differences, their mother, Flo, loves them and wants what’s best for both of them like any mother would. Quickly, the audience is exposed to their flaws, secrets, sexuality, and dreams in life, providing each and every character – no matter how small of a role – depth, humanity, and an interesting story. 

With brilliant performances by actors such as Payton Evanyo, Lily Fry, Juliet Palos, Cesar De Leon, and Luis-Carlos Sandoval III, directed by the brand new Jeanie De Leon, Marshall’s rendition of Picnic is easily a must-see.