Caroline, Or Change

At Roundabout Theatre Company October 14, 2021

For this trip, I was really limited on the shows available in-part due to Covid, but also due to my timing. November was the month when most shows started opening, & this was mid-October. (Missed it by that much). I also wanted to see shows I hadn't seen before. This one had good reviews, so I decided to check it out.

This show is a cult favorite, & one hell of a show if you like clarinets. It focuses on Caroline, a cleaning lady, who works for a semi-wealthy Jewish family living in Louisiana. This is mid-1950's, & change is happening in the world. They show the mysterious tearing down of a confederate statue, the assassination of JFK, etc.

But there are more minor changes happening in Caroline's world. First, let me actually explain her world. To get her through the monotony of the day, she sees everyday household items as personas. The washing machine sings & blows bubbles, the dryer hums sultry notes, the radio is a trio that belts out danceable tunes until they're turned off. The moon floats on & off stage in a bubble, singing various tunes. (These household items are the ones with the cult following.)

Caroline is instructed by the new wife of the Jewish clarinet player(!) to do the household laundry. However she's trying to teach the son the value of money. So whatever change he leaves in his pockets, Caroline gets to keep. There was protest at first, but then that's what happens.

The son is more attached to Caroline than his new step-mom, so he purposefully leaves quarters & change for Caroline. He daydreams how she thinks lovingly of him while buying groceries or presents for her own children. & just maybe she'll adopt him one day.

Then winter rolls around & extended family visits. It was a lively time with excellent clarinet solos by the head of the household. (As a former clarinet player, this was beyond enjoyable). & the son is given $20 as a present. But this particular time he actually does forget to empty his pockets before laundry.

It starts a huge feud between him & Caroline, where they both say things they regret. Caroline leaves & doesn't return to work for 5 days. Her friends are worried, her children are vying for change in the world, & she realizes she is stuck. She has been unhappy for most of her life, & she realizes she'll never change. So, she decides to return to work. That stays the same. But the rest of the world does not.

Overall, I'm glad I saw this show. It highlighted a variety of vocal stylings & talents, & had excellent clarinet playing. However, I was hoping to see bigger changes throughout the show. I wanted to see a story line with a progression. This didn't really have that. It was a bit lackluster for me, but at least I now know what types of shows I do like, & which ones I can let pass me by.

Thank you Caroline, but now it's time for change.