The Most Dangerous Woman in America: Machine Guns, Coal Dust and the Making of the American Dream

Re-Printed from www.LATheatreReview.com Grab a “Simpler Times” Ale from Theatre of NOTE’s full bar and saddle up for David Christie’s smartly-written one woman show about hell-raising Mother Mary Harris Jones. Therese Diekhans’ charming, studied performance playfully brings to life fifteen characters, from children mill workers to John D. Rockefeller, as the audience learns the true cost of Big Business cost-cutting in early 20th century mining towns. Mother Jones’ rallying speeches on apathy and revolution are particularly poignant amidst contemporary woes, while original music by Jerry Reynolds and clear, active direction by Carol Roscoe maintain an environment of engaging theatricality. Pay attention, the jump between characters happens ... full review

Much more educational than entertaining, the piece was well done and provided information that was most relevant, given the current state of emergencies in the mining and oil drilling businesses. At times painful to hear about the horrible things done in the name of profit, the overall message was positive and reflective of the hope of most people - that profit comes second to people and the environment.... full review

In this day and age when it is so easy to go with the flow or confusion celebrity/reality gossip with important relevant issues. Here is a reminder of the power of a single individual to stand up for the plight of the working person. A cautionary tale of what accepting without questioning. Therese Diekans is wonderful as Mother Jones.... full review

I went to this show today and I was blown away- a historical account that tugs on the heart strings. The characters- and there are many- are fully developed from JD Rockefeller to a child laborer in the mines to company men on both sides of the union struggle to Mother Jones herself. Well staged and well acted. As a performer I learned a lot from her performance.... full review

Very well acted and directed. A solid production.... full review