THE BASICS: The Polish Cleaning Lady’s Daughter is premiering at the Paul Robeson Theatre, African American Cultural Center, 350 Masten Avenue in Buffalo. For tickets call 716-844-2013. March 22 and 23 at 7:30 pm, March 24 at 4 pm.
THUMBNAIL SKETCH: The play is a memoir about growing up in Buffalo in the 1950’s. Its presentation at the Paul Robeson Theatre is part of their mission to bring understanding and appreciation to us all about the many communities within the Greater Buffalo area. Everyone has a story to tell – let’s share them and become closer.
RUNTIME: one hour and 45 minutes, no intermission
THE PLAYERS, THE PLAY, AND THE PRODUCTION:
Paula Wachowiak is a Buffalo based writer, poet, and photographer. In 2019, Ms. Wachowiak wrote a book, The Polish Cleaning Lady’s Daughter, and she did readings from this book at the New Phoenix Theatre. This play is the newest incarnation of the piece.
Ms. Wachowiak is straight-forward, well-spoken, intelligent, creative, and seems like a very nice person! The play is a one-woman show about her childhood in the Baby Boomer era in the Lovejoy neighborhood on Buffalo’s east side. She relates and performs a series of anecdotes about her family and these are illustrated with photos on a power point. The tone is conversational and many of the stories are amusing. Ms. Wachowiak was an imaginative child and often got into trouble when she was trying to be helpful.
My favorites of her stories were the ones about the Lovejoy neighborhood – including the etymology of the word “youse.” Who knew its Italian roots?? I was also taken with her story about her father and his passing. And I liked the story about her mother being the cleaning lady on WKBW radio during its heyday and winding up as a Buffalo celebrity on air exchanging double entendres with the superstar DJ’s of the day – Joey Reynolds and Danny Neaverth.
Director Verneice Turner has kept the proceedings naturalistic. The set is furniture pieces that evoke the 1950’s era, and Ms. Wachowiak moves comfortably around throughout the production – even acknowledging the audience several times.
If there are future productions of this play, I suggest shortening it and adding an intermission. Ms. Wachowiak might also want to introduce more variety by adding elements to increase its theatrically.
The Polish Cleaning Lady’s Daughter is an impressive Buffalo-based work, and Ms. Wachowiak’s performance is captivating.
*HERD OF BUFFALO (Notes on the Rating System)
ONE BUFFALO: This means trouble. A dreadful play, a highly flawed production, or both. Unless there is some really compelling reason for you to attend (i.e. you are the parent of someone who is in it), give this show a wide berth.
TWO BUFFALOS: Passable, but no great shakes. Either the production is pretty far off base, or the play itself is problematic. Unless you are the sort of person who’s happy just going to the theater, you might look around for something else.
THREE BUFFALOS: I still have my issues, but this is a pretty darn good night at the theater. If you don’t go in with huge expectations, you will probably be pleased.
FOUR BUFFALOS: Both the production and the play are of high caliber. If the genre/content are up your alley, I would make a real effort to attend.
FIVE BUFFALOS: Truly superb–a rare rating. Comedies that leave you weak with laughter, dramas that really touch the heart. Provided that this is the kind of show you like, you’d be a fool to miss it!
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