Women Behind Bars
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Women Behind Bars is a play by Tom Eyen.
Based on the exploitation films produced by Universal, Warner's, and Republic Pictures in the 1950s, the farcial comedy is set in the Women's House of Detention in Greenwich Village. Among the range of social and psychological types imprisoned within its walls are a sweet innocent who is in danger of being destroyed by the system, a chain-smoking, gum-snapping street-wise tough girl, and a delicate Southern belle reminiscent of Blanche DuBois. Lording over all is the evil matron and her tough-as-nails sidekick. The subtle hints of lesbianism found in the original B-movies are played broadly for laughs throughout.
The original production, at the off-Broadway Astor Place Theatre, opened on May 1, 1975 and ran for only 54 performances. Revived the following year at the Truck and Warehouse Theatre, with underground film star/drag queen Divine starring as the matron, it quickly developed a cult following and became a smash hit. It is a popular choice of gay repertory companies, such as San Francisco's Theatre Rhinoceros.
