A Woman Of The World NYC Reviews and Tickets

78%

(29 Reviews)

Positive

79%

Mixed

17%

Negative

Members say

Great acting, Absorbing, Great writing, Enchanting, Entertaining

About the Show

Kathleen Chalfant stars as Emily Dickinson’s posthumous editor Mabel Loomis Todd in Pulitzer Prize finalist Rebecca Gilman’s world premiere play.

From the show:

Best known as Emily Dickinson’s posthumous editor, Mabel Loomis Todd is a woman of the world. Priding herself on being an inspired conversationalist, she invited scandal by enjoying a glass of wine in mixed company, and she certainly wasn’t afraid to expose her ankles in a dress. Now in her 70s and living on Hog Island in Maine, the accomplished journalist and naturalist regales us with tales of her storied life, spilling secrets and revealing the true nature of her relationship with one of America’s most celebrated poets.

Pulitzer Prize finalist Rebecca Gilman’s world premiere play is brought to the stage in this insightful and impassioned tour-de-force performance by one of theater’s most beloved performers, Kathleen Chalfant.

Member Reviews (29)

Enchanting, Masterful, Great acting, Ambitious

See it if You want a very well written interesting play. Keeps your attention throughout.

Don't see it if If you do not like solo shows. To know about Emily Dickinson is not important.

Brittle, Intelligent, Indulgent, Great writing, Great acting

See it if Editor steps out from the shadows and really, really enjoys the sunshine once removed from her client. Assured acting style.

Don't see it if Brittle content and acting. Actor relishes hitting her mark. Big ego fills tiny space very quickly.

Good start, Intimate setting, Somewhat entertaining, Disappointing

See it if Chalfont does a masterful acting job; you're amazed by actors who can keep a one person play moving and remember all their lines.

Don't see it if you expect the play to be about Dickinson; don't like one person plays; Mabel Loomis Todd is not very likeable/sympathetic; nothing happens.

Great writing, Great acting, Funny, Delightful, Absorbing

See it if Kathleen Chalfant is amazing. Her performance was absolutely incredible.

Don't see it if you don't like solo shows on simple but adequate sets. Read more

Intelligent, Great acting, Enchanting, Delightful, Absorbing

See it if you are a fan of one of our national treasures, Kathleen Chalfant, or Emily Dickinson. A delightful one-woman show!

Don't see it if you do not like one-person plays. However, Ms. Chalfant gives a master class in great acting.

Great acting, Chalfant is perfection, Script is a little thin

See it if you love great acting.Chalfant is as good as it gets.Set is excellent.Script is a little thin.I'd like more story, less background.

Don't see it if you want a big fat show.This is a beautiful small piece.Perfect for 59E's black box theatre.Chalfant is amazing.So fun to be so close to her

Must see, Great acting, Entertaining, Enchanting, Delightful

See it if you want to see Kathleen Chalfont at her very best. She is a marvel. I won't give it away, but a knowledge of Emily D is not needed at all

Don't see it if you absolutely hate one woman shows regardless of their quality and subject matter. This one was entertaining from beginning to end. Read more

Felt long at 90 minutes, Without passion, Mannered

See it if Kathleen Chalfont really is a treasure but she is squandered here. The information imparted lacks insight.

Don't see it if You want to learn anything about Emily Dickinson or her publisher. The latter apparently fabricates a whole story then exposes her lies. Read more

Critic Reviews (9)

"‘A Woman of the World’ Dwells in Possibility: Rebecca Gilman’s one-woman show stars Kathleen Chalfant as Mabel Loomis Todd, who burnished herself with Emily Dickinson’s celebrity."
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"If you're a Kathleen Chalfant fan, her considerable charms will most likely see you through 'A Woman of the World.' If you have a taste for literary gossip, the script certainly has some jaw-droppers to share."
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4/5 Stars "Kathleen Chalfant is flawless. Whether the pleasure of Mabel Loomis Todd's company was enjoyed by all back then is up for debate, but there's no denying the pleasure of Chalfant's performance."
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3/5 Stars: "Rebecca Gilman made her first big splash with 'Spinning into Butter,' one of the most fearless and prophetic plays about racial tensions and political correctness. Woman of the World is not nearly as provocative or ambitious, although Chalfant paints a compelling picture of Emily Dickinson's friend and editor."
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"Fortunately, the magnificent Kathleen Chalfant not only commands our attention - practically daring us not to listen - but she also charms us, makes us laugh (sometimes with her, occasionally at her), even periodically annoys us as she offers a summation of her life and philosophy."
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"As Mabel Todd Loomis, Chalfant is charming company. She seduces us into liking her and believing her version of things before revealing the truth of many of the facts. Much of the play is delivered like a digression or a tangent, certainly not part of the announced talk 'The Real Emily Dickinson.'"
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"Her life, for a woman of her times, was progressive, to say the least, and, for a time, Gilman and Chalfant convey her tale with charm and humor. Nonetheless, the anecdotal current gradually loses dramatic force, giving sway to Morpheus' fingertips."
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"This is the story recounted in Rebecca Gilman that's now making its premiere at 59E59 Theaters, under the direction of Valentina Fratti. The luminous Kathleen Chalfant as Mabel Loomis Todd."
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Trailer

Creative team