Review by Elyse Trevers
“You gotta have a gimmick”. The gimmick for “Bella, Bella,” the one-actor show about the politician-activist Bella Abzug, is its subject- one extraordinary woman. The play is based on the words and works of Congresswoman Bella Abzug, and the personality and deeds of the character would easily have been enough. But here, Bella is portrayed by a male actor, Harvey Fierstein. As Bella rails away about men’s’ dominance in politics and society and complains about inequities, I thought how ironic it was to have those words coming out of the mouth of a man.
True, Fierstein wrote the script, and, true, he had the blessing of Abzug’s daughter, and, true, he has a theatrical following and can pack an audience. Nevertheless, it seems a sad commentary. Yet my guess is Bella, herself, would have gotten a kick out of it.
Fierstein’s only concession to the gender of his character is the red hat he wears during the opening moments of the play and the dark polish he wears on his toes. The play is set at the end of Abzug’s career. She has sequestered herself in the bathroom of a hotel suite, nervously awaiting voting results (scenic design by John Lee Beatty.) Five Democrats are vying against each other for the Democratic nomination for the US Senate in 1976, with the agreement that the four losers will step aside and support the winner. (Spoiler alert-Daniel Moynihan won.)
“Battling Bella” was an American lawyer, U.S. Representative, social activist and a leader of the Women’s Movement in the 1970’s when few women were involved in politics. She supported gay rights and Zionism as well. “Bella, Bella” is a character study of the feminist icon. Abzug was known for her trademark hats, which she explains her husband suggested would distinguish her from being treated like a secretary. A Jewish New Yorker, Abzug dared to make waves and changes in law and politics. When she became a congresswoman, the women were relegated to the upstairs, and she helped change that.
Fierstein is bigger than life with his trademark gravelly hoarse voice and overly expressive face-making. He overplays the Yiddishisms which the script defines and explains.
This is a play with a lot of inside jokes that cater to a New York audience of a certain age. However, if you pay attention, it is also a valuable history lesson about the woman and her achievements.
“Bella, Bella,” directed by Kimberly Senior, gives insight into the character of a true female hero but with Fierstein in the lead role, the play makes her a bit of a comic figure. She deserves respect and admiration (and maybe even a statue, Mayor Deblasio?)
