The (Mostly) True Story of a Common Scold Review – The First Female Journalist in the U.S.

The Promenade Playhouse is proud to present THE (MOSTLY) TRUE STORY OF A COMMON SCOLD, a world premiere drama, as its first production in its recently opened new location on Pico Boulevard in West Los Angeles. This is a spanking new and fresh setting to offer audiences the same high quality theater that they enjoyed on Santa Monica’s Promenade for so many years! The Promenade Playhouse staff are thrilled to announce a great line-up of drama to light up 2024 and 2025, as well as something original – a Spanish-language showcase currently presenting “Somos Nosotros.” Everyone at the Promenade Playhouse hopes to welcome back its veteran audiences, as well as some new recruits, to this charming and innovative venue.

Dendrie Taylor and Scott Parkin – Photo by Linda Teverbaugh

The time is the 1830’s, the dawn of President Jackson’s administration; and the place is up and down the Eastern seaboard of the nascent United States. Inspired by the true story of Anne Royall (Dendrie Taylor), America’s first female journalist, THE (MOSTLY) TRUE STORY OF A COMMON SCOLD tells the tale of Anne’s fight against evangelical leaders who intend to reshape America into a Christian nation, a nation where church leaders control every aspect of life in the young nation. Together with her faithful – and very clever – African-American side-kick Hazel (Zuri Alexander), the two women buck the sacrosanct in their age, where women are powerless wives and mothers who know their place.

Dendrie Taylor and Zuri Alexander – Photo by Gui Salmeron

When Anne starts printing a newspaper from her Washington D.C. kitchen issuing warnings about the subversion of the U.S. Constitution, she earns the attention of the people who want her silenced once and for all. Since toppling her stagecoach doesn’t finish her off, along with garden-variety but very sustained harassment, they have her arrested under almost ancient but not quite obsolete rulings from the seventeenth century. Thus, Anne becomes a common scold – and her punishment just might be the ducking stool, where she will find her end under the Potomac’s frigid waters. Will Anne finally bend to others’ beliefs? Or will she remain steadfast to her own views?

Jake O’Flaherty and Satiar Pourvasei – Photo by Gui Salmeron

Penned by Mike Teverbaugh, THE (MOSTLY) TRUE STORY OF A COMMON SCOLD is the winner of the International New Works of Merit Competition – and well deserving of the honor. The historical story may be obscure, but it is nonetheless powerful in its focus on how one single person can change the world. Teverbaugh has written for television for the past 30-plus years and brings his talent and experience to the creation of this fascinating and intriguing play skillfully directed by Natalia Lazarus. She has done a superb job of helming the production and is ably assisted by a very talented and experienced cast featuring Taylor and Alexander, as well as Satiar Pourvasei, Tom Waters, Scott Parkin, Jake O’Flaherty, and Scott Burkholder – each of whom wears more than one hat (or jabot) in the show.

Jake O’Flaherty, Dendrie Taylor, and Scott Parkin – Photo by Linda Teverbaugh

And let’s not forget the production staff, including Amanda Aoki’s and Shon Le Blanc’s terrific costumes, Caitlin Ramsey’s and Thiago Carvalho’s lighting, Chris Kooreman’s production and lighting, and Gigi Kopinar’s graphics. Each has an important hand in creating this alluring period piece. Produced by Tom Waters, THE (MOSTLY) TRUE STORY OF A COMMON SCOLD is absorbing, riveting, and very entertaining. One can’t help but wonder how many other beguiling stories are out there about people who have attracted almost no attention in the grand scheme of things – and yet people who have had a profound effect on history. These are truly our unsung heroes.

THE (MOSTLY) TRUE STORY OF A COMMON SCOLD runs through October 27, 2024, with performances at 8 p.m. on Fridays, at 7 p.m. on Saturdays, and at 2 p.m. on Sundays. The Promenade Playhouse is located at 10931 West Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064. Tickets are $35. For information and reservations, call 310-656-8070 or go online.