by Cari Lynn Pace

During WWI, communication in the field of battle was critical to the Army. Soldiers could not work the plug-and-cord switchboards fast and efficiently, causing poor results and failed coordination with our Allies in Europe. Desperate, the Army reluctantly recruited female switchboard operators who could translate calls between English and French. These young and idealistic women brushed up on their language skills and left their lives behind to serve their county. The Hello Girls celebrates the unsung heroines who volunteered 100 years ago and the determination they had to be prove themselves.

In fact, the Army enlisted over 230 of these women in uniform, but denied VA benefits to them. They were not considered soldiers, even when living in the overseas barracks and ducking bombs. Women did not even have the right to vote. It was not until 1977 when a mere 33 Hello Girls were finally given recognition.

Writers Cara Reichel and Peter C. Mills dug in deep to unearth this historically factual story from World War I. Mills added music and clever lyrics to propel the Hello Girls from the back offices of Bell Telephone to the battlefields of France.

Ross Valley Players have an outstanding reputation for total commitment to their productions and this sharp, snappy salute shows why. Director Maeve Smith spent an entire year researching and meeting with descendants of the original Hello Girls through the Doughboy Foundation. Smith’s storytelling is enhanced with superb voices of the cast and clever choreography by Jonathen Blue. Vintage costumes designed by Valera Coble and a striking stage designed by Ron Krempetz create a page of our forgotten history with ten talented actors who harmonize under the musical direction of Christopher Hewitt. It’s quite a surprise to see the actors alternate their character roles with playing instruments including piano, strings, and cello. Where did RVP find these talents?

Monica Rose Slater commands The Hello Girls as Grace Banker, chosen to head up the new Communication Corps. Her strong vocals and intense delivery of the lyrics are an impressive counterbalance to Lieutenant Riser, her superior officer who believes a woman’s place is not in the field. Nelson Brown does a great job in this role, bringing both resistance and reprimands to the gals. He’s speechless when Grace gives him twenty rapid-fire reasons how her troop is ready to bring their skills to the front and earned a spontaneous ovation from the audience.

The Hello Girls include Abigail Wissink, Jacqueline Lee, Grace Margaret Craig, and Malia Abayon whose French accent is charming. They lend their fine voices in close harmonies that soar, reminiscent of the Andrews Sisters who followed years (and another war) later.

The voices, the music, the clever lyrics, the costumes and the acting chops…this is a superb show worth a salute.

Playing now through March 1 at the Barn Theater at Marin Art & Garden Center, 30 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Ross.

Click HERE for more information and tickets.

Photos by Robin Jackson

Cari Lynn Pace is a long-time Bay Area theatre critic whose reviews were regularly featured in the Marinscope Community Newspapers.