Uncommon Women and Others (1978 Television)
Encyclopedia
Uncommon Women and Others (1978), is a made-for-television film (based upon the play of the same name
. Wendy Wasserstein
wrote both the original play as well as the teleplay for the televised production. It was shown in May, 1978 as part of the Great Performances
series on PBS. It was directed by Steven Robman
and included all of the original cast from the 1977 Off-Broadway debut (with the exception of Glenn Close
who was replaced by Meryl Streep
).
(Wasserstein's alma mater
) meet for lunch one day in 1978 and talk about their time together in college. The play is thus a series of flashbacks to the 1972-1973 school year as eight seniors and one freshman try to "discover themselves" in the wake of second-wave feminism
.
Uncommon Women and Others
Uncommon Women and Others , is the first play by noted 20th century American playwright Wendy Wasserstein.-1977 Off-Broadway debut:...
. Wendy Wasserstein
Wendy Wasserstein
Wendy Wasserstein was an American playwright and an Andrew Dickson White Professor-at-Large at Cornell University...
wrote both the original play as well as the teleplay for the televised production. It was shown in May, 1978 as part of the Great Performances
Great Performances
Great Performances, a television series devoted to the performing arts, has been telecast on Public Broadcasting Service public television since 1972...
series on PBS. It was directed by Steven Robman
Steven Robman
Steven I. Robman or Steve Robman is an American television and theatre director/producer.He was graduated from Alexander Hamilton High School in Los Angeles, California , University of California, Berkeley , and the Yale School of Drama .He has been married to actress Kathy Baker since 2003...
and included all of the original cast from the 1977 Off-Broadway debut (with the exception of Glenn Close
Glenn Close
Glenn Close is an American actress and singer of theatre and film, known for her roles as a femme fatale Glenn Close (born March 19, 1947) is an American actress and singer of theatre and film, known for her roles as a femme fatale Glenn Close (born March 19, 1947) is an American actress and...
who was replaced by Meryl Streep
Meryl Streep
Mary Louise "Meryl" Streep is an American actress who has worked in theatre, television and film.Streep made her professional stage debut in 1971's The Playboy of Seville, before her screen debut in the television movie The Deadliest Season in 1977. In that same year, she made her film debut with...
).
Plot summary
Alumnae of Mount Holyoke CollegeMount Holyoke College
Mount Holyoke College is a liberal arts college for women in South Hadley, Massachusetts. It was the first member of the Seven Sisters colleges, and served as a model for some of the others...
(Wasserstein's alma mater
Alma mater
Alma mater , pronounced ), was used in ancient Rome as a title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele, and in Christianity for the Virgin Mary.-General term:...
) meet for lunch one day in 1978 and talk about their time together in college. The play is thus a series of flashbacks to the 1972-1973 school year as eight seniors and one freshman try to "discover themselves" in the wake of second-wave feminism
Second-wave feminism
The Feminist Movement, or the Women's Liberation Movement in the United States refers to a period of feminist activity which began during the early 1960s and lasted through the early 1990s....
.
Cast
- Meryl StreepMeryl StreepMary Louise "Meryl" Streep is an American actress who has worked in theatre, television and film.Streep made her professional stage debut in 1971's The Playboy of Seville, before her screen debut in the television movie The Deadliest Season in 1977. In that same year, she made her film debut with...
- Leilah - Swoosie KurtzSwoosie KurtzSwoosie Kurtz is an American actress. She began her career in theater during the 1970s and shortly thereafter began a career in television, garnering ten nominations and winning one Emmy Award. Her most famous television project was her role on the 1990s NBC drama Sisters...
- Rita Altabel - Jill EikenberryJill EikenberryJill Eikenberry is an American film, stage, and television actress. She is best known for her role as lawyer Ann Kelsey in L.A. Law...
- Kate Quin - Ellen Parker - Muffet DiNicola
- Ann McDonough - Samantha Stewart
- Alma CuervoAlma CuervoAlma Cuervo is an American stage actress and singer, who has also performed in film and television. She holds an M.F.A. in acting from the Yale School of Drama, from which she graduated in 1976 alongside Meryl Streep. She starred in the role of Madame Morrible in the first national tour of Wicked....
- Holly Kaplan - Josephine Nicholas - Mrs. Plumm
- Cynthia Herman - Susie Friend
- Anna LevineAnna LevineAnna Kluger Levine is an American actress. She has also been credited as Anna Levine Thompson and Anna Thomson.-Filmography:* Desperately Seeking Susan as Crystal* Murphy's Romance as Wanda...
- Carter - Alexander ScourbyAlexander ScourbyAlexander Scourby was an American film, television, and voice actor known for his deep and resonant voice...
- Narrator (voice)