H.G. Brown’s THE LADY SWIMS TODAY is a drama about some small time players who get into a big stakes game of piracy. Set in 1984 at a motel on the Chesapeake Bay, the action is spurred by revenge, greed, and dreams of a better life.

The leader of the pack is Eddie Hajazi. His mission is personal, and all he awaits is the coded phrase, THE LADY SWIMS TODAY, to set his plan in motion. He seeks to take two million dollars from some former business associates who will be entering the area on a boat. Initially, he pairs himself with a wannabe sailor, Harley Davis. Trouble is, neither of these guys, although planning a heist at sea, has had foresight enough to purchase a compass. They have, however, made the move to enlist the aid of some skilled seamen. Enter Mal Peters, a one-time bad boy and current owner of the Carney Hook Marina Motel, and George Santos, a cook at the motel with dreams of owning a boat of his own. Rounding out the cast of characters, there is Beverly Sharon Peters, Mal’s wife, who has big dreams for their motel, Beverly’s friend Joyce, a writer who is visiting, and Harley’s lady-friend Alice, who shows up unexpectedly.

Howard G. Brown’s direction keeps THE LADY SWIMS TODAY moving, though the action takes a bit of time to get going at the beginning. The set makes sufficient use of the intimate performance space, and the actors are right on pace with the plot. The story itself is pretty standard fare, but curious theatergoers will be reasonably intrigued and entertained. Fans of HBO’s The Sopranos may want to attend for the chance to see series regulars Robert Funaro and Maureen Van Zandt up close, personal, and at the center of the action.

- Kessa De Santis -

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