Revering Women and Their Theatrics

Jodeen Revere is a one-woman phenomenon in The Persistent Guest, Oct 12th-29th. PHOTO BY SEAN MCNEARNEY

BY DANA DUGAN

Theater, as opposed to Hollywood, is often thought of as a less than masculine pursuit, something quite feminine—with the dressing up, the play acting, and the makeup. Ironically, for centuries, it was male-only amusement. However, early in the 19th century, women became the change the theater needed to spur growth into the powerhouse industry it is today. Women were not only attending plays in record numbers, but were finding positions in chorus lines and as featured actresses, though vastly underpaid and underrepresented.

Ben Burdick works with Jodeen Revere in rehearsal for her play, The Persistent Guest.

PHOTO BY LILA STREICHER

Focusing on women in theater might be shocking to the ancient Greeks. But that’s just what the Boise Contemporary Theatre is known for— thought-provoking seasons that are “reflective of the larger world,” according to Artistic Director Ben Burdick. In that vein, Burdick and the all-female staff at BCT have chosen a female-centric 2022-2023 season.

“One of my goals as AD is to nourish and support local actors, directors, and artists,” he said. Starting with the one-woman play The Persistent Guest by Boise actor Jodeen Revere. The season will also stage Nia Vardalos’ Tiny Beautiful Things, based on the book by Cheryl Strayed about her Dear Sugar advice columns, and Sweat by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage.

“The primary thread of the season is talking about things you’re not supposed to talk about: cancer, politics, religion, and the senselessness of war,” Burdick said.

Diversity is important to us here at BCT. Women are underrepresented on stage. First and foremost, we want a great play.

— BCT Artistic Director Ben Burdick

Jodeen Revere’s work is a deeply personal example. A three-time cancer survivor, the Boise native began a blog as she worked through her treatments and recovery. A frequent performer of her own essays at Ming Studios in downtown Boise, she approached Elizabeth McKetta, a Boise writer, editor, and poet. They worked to stitch it all together for a possible book, which turned into a public reading.

“It became very clear it was a one-woman show, not a book,” Revere said. “Ben was there and said, ‘Let’s develop this as a show.’ We began rehearsals in January 2020, for a reading of the show March 23.” Then the country went into shut-down mode to deal with COVID.

“The silver lining is we had time to develop the script,” Burdick said. “It was worthwhile. It’s a local story from a beloved local actor. Diversity is important to us here at BCT. Women are underrepresented on stage. First and foremost, we want a great play. Our mission is to inspire our community through thought-provoking stories of the human experience.”

In the play, Revere plays herself as well as multiple characters. “I read my stuff out loud a lot. The musicality of language is tremendously important. Fortunately, I lived it and I wrote the words so that makes it a little easier. A little,” Revere said, chuckling.

Though the “guest” in The Persistent Guest is grim, the play has humor and compassion.

“I don’t vibe with the cancer culture,” Revere said. “It’s not like a war monger attitude. It’s a thing that happens. It’s shitty. I keep moving forward, rather than be mired in hate....it kept shifting something in me. I am not afraid of anything now.”

PHOTO BY LILA STREICHER

Revere is also deeply connected to her community and friends.

“It’s very much a love letter to Boise too,” she said. “I love connecting people in situations that are important to me. There’s reference in the play about my being held in so much love by the people in this community. People feed you, bring flowers, bring books, sit on the porch, give a massage. People show up to do good stuff. Look for the helpers. That’s referenced during the show.”

To capture the helpers who came to Revere’s side, Lila Steicher, a Boise photographer, shot black and white portrait photos. Those will be shown in a slide show in the lobby prior to the show, bringing the audience into the experience before the show has even begun.

“An actor is always telling the truth,” said Revere. “ It’s not about pretending. The oddly schizophrenic thing, yes, this is about me. Everything is true, but I’m a character of myself. Like stand-up comedy is timing. It’s the same with this. It’s heavily rehearsed—other characters and the time frames. That keeps it interesting.”

Through the two-year hiatus, Revere persevered. Early in 2021, she pitched the idea of doing a hybrid filmatic/theatrical version of the show. She thought, “I think I’m fine, I feel good, I’m sure eventually I will get to do this on stage, but I’ve also had cancer three times and if I die before I get to do this I will be seriously pissed off! I want this to exist.” Look for all of BCT’s upcoming premieres at bctheater.org