The Play

The 3Graces Theater Co. hosted the New York City premier of Nickel and Dimed, by Joan Holden at the Bank Street Theater. Based upon the book Nickel and Dimed, written by Barbara Ehrenrich, playwright Joan Holden admits that it wasn’t her idea to bring “Nickel and Dimed” to the stage, giving full credit to Bartlett Sher, producer of the Seattle, Oregon, World Premiere play of Nickel and Dimed in 2002. Holden has observed that “The growing divide of the rich and poor is growing steadily worse with globalization,” and immediately agreed to do the play in New York City. Holden openly acknowledges that Ehrenrich describes the play as “fictionalization,” meanwhile Holden calls it “dramatization.” Although there may be a difference of opinion regarding the representation of the material, the premise of America’s minimum wage and the “working class poor” are a serious matter for all to contemplate.

The stage was set amidst an intimate audience with bright lights, bed, kitchen, and live band located in the background. Margot Avery played the part of Barbara Ehrenrich, characterizing a quick wit and sincere attitude to understand the working class. Nickel and Dimed related the story of “Barb,” first coming up with the idea of working alongside America’s working class poor while discussing articles to submit to a Manhattan “rag.” Barb considered writing an article disguised as a working class citizen because there was no interest from the “rag” for any other material at that time. Encouraged by her working class upbringing with a father who worked 17 years as a warehouseman and a teamster Barb moved to Key West to find a job as a waitress. Barb had three rules to live by; she would always keep a car, she would not resort to being homeless, and there was always her ATM card if she had to cheat.

Barb landed a job at Kenny’s making $2.15 an hour plus tips with a manger that Barb refers to as a predator. The comical Dorothy Abrams as Hector, a cussing Spanish short-order cook brings the stage to life. Barb finds herself not being able to pay her bills while working two shifts at Kenny’s and obtains a second job working as a housekeeper, making $6.10 and hour. Cherelle Chargill plays the humorous Carlie as an aged housekeeper assisting Barb during her routine cleaning schedule. Barb soon learns the faster you work, the less you get paid. Barb’s experience in Key West comes to an end as she is forced to quit her job by a complaint from an irate customer. Barb gives Gail her slush fund/down payment ($1,200) and keys to her trailer. After Barb tells Gail that she is a writer, Gail never directly speaks to Barb again.

Barb decides to write a book instead of an article regarding the low wage worker, and continues her quest by moving to Maine. She decides to work for a home cleaning company by the name of Magic Maids for $6.65 and hour. Barbara refers to Ted, the owner of Magic Maids as a pimp because he charges $25 per person to clean a home. Barb worked with three other women, one woman named Maddy played by Nancy Wu had locked her kids in a motel room, and if she lost her job at Magic Maids she would lose her children to the state. Marge played by Chelsea Silverman, was an older woman who supported her husband, children and grandchildren. Holly played by Elizabeth Bunnell was pregnant and supported her husband and grandmother. Holly had fallen down the stairs and Barb called Ted to fight for Holly’s rights; however, all the women fell in line to protect their jobs. Shortly after that incident the ladies were discussing the test that they had all taken to get the position at Magic Maids. Barb stated that “any idiot could pass the test,” everyone looked at Barb and that was the end of the Mage Maids experience in Maine. Holly never spoke to Barb again.

The next scene Barb is depressed in bed and at home with her boyfriend. Barb is distressed that her boyfriend bought a couch for $3,000, exclaiming that the money spent on the couch was “three months pay!” The audience can sense Barb growing from her experiences of living alongside the working class. Her boyfriend encourages her to enjoy “their nice life and everything they have worked hard for.” He observes that her experiences just show that “some people do not like to work.” This comment motivates Barb to travel to the state of Minnesota with a job at “Walmart,” finding out after she was hired how much she would be making, $8 an hour with mandatory overtime without pay. Through a friend Barb was given an apartment for two months, and eventually is without a place to live. After her two months are up and no luck in finding a living space affordable enough to survive, Barb leaves Minnesota dissatisfied, but filled with a new appreciation of the “working poor and that they are Americas biggest anonymous supporters.”

Conclusion

Nickel and Dimed is a play that awakens the mind to the reality of the average worker in America trying to survive on minimum wage. Although the play is a dramatized account of the experiences of Barbara Ehrenenrich, the point is well made. If we encourage an increase in minimum wage and support Americans to continue their education, future generations may be able to climb out of the vicious cycle of trying to survive on minimum wage.

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Camera: iPhone 6+
Photographer: @eaglespirit
Date: 2015
Location: Sonoma, California

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