Hurricane Diane ShockS and Delights Audiences at Hartford Stage
By Kiersten Bjork (June 18, 2025)
Hurricane Diane is the humorous, thought-provoking play currently shocking and delighting audiences at Hartford Stage now through June 29. Featuring direction by Zoë Golub-Sass with support from assistant director Kat Corrigan, choreography and intimacy coordination by Lillian Mae Ransijn, and dialect and vocal coaching by Julie Foh, this dynamic production stars an ensemble of five performers who deliver a layered tale that is strikingly modern, yet infused with ancient context.
In Hurricane Diane, Diane, the god Dionysus returned in the modern day, sets out to initiate a new cult of followers in order to bring about healing and change in our ravaged world. Diane’s target? Four women living on “a well-appointed cul-de-sac in Red Bank, New Jersey,” as the program states. Diane’s method? Permaculture: tearing up the manicured lawns and foreign plants to create native, sustainable, self-sufficient, benefit-producing jungles-of-gardens. As one might imagine, nothing goes quite according to plan, and the ancient deity finds themself up against more than just human stubbornness. The result is a sharp, witty, contemporary piece that confronts audiences from the very first moments, breaking out of the stage space as Diane and the other characters move through the audience and interact directly with theatregoers. Though infused with plenty of comedy, Hurricane Diane confronts our unsustainable way of life and demands we look deeper, insisting that we recognize the damage being done and realize that, as Diane says, “it’s eleven f-ing forty-five” on the ever-ticking clock of our existence and our time to make the necessary changes has all but run out.
Hurricane Diane is the humorous, thought-provoking play currently shocking and delighting audiences at Hartford Stage now through June 29. Featuring direction by Zoë Golub-Sass with support from assistant director Kat Corrigan, choreography and intimacy coordination by Lillian Mae Ransijn, and dialect and vocal coaching by Julie Foh, this dynamic production stars an ensemble of five performers who deliver a layered tale that is strikingly modern, yet infused with ancient context.
In Hurricane Diane, Diane, the god Dionysus returned in the modern day, sets out to initiate a new cult of followers in order to bring about healing and change in our ravaged world. Diane’s target? Four women living on “a well-appointed cul-de-sac in Red Bank, New Jersey,” as the program states. Diane’s method? Permaculture: tearing up the manicured lawns and foreign plants to create native, sustainable, self-sufficient, benefit-producing jungles-of-gardens. As one might imagine, nothing goes quite according to plan, and the ancient deity finds themself up against more than just human stubbornness. The result is a sharp, witty, contemporary piece that confronts audiences from the very first moments, breaking out of the stage space as Diane and the other characters move through the audience and interact directly with theatregoers. Though infused with plenty of comedy, Hurricane Diane confronts our unsustainable way of life and demands we look deeper, insisting that we recognize the damage being done and realize that, as Diane says, “it’s eleven f-ing forty-five” on the ever-ticking clock of our existence and our time to make the necessary changes has all but run out.
Bernadette Sefic in Hurricane Diane at Hartford Stage, 2025 (T. Charles Erickson)
|
Christina DeCicco, Sharina Martin, Alyse Alan Louis, and Katya Campbell in Hurricane Diane at Hartford Stage, 2025 (T. Charles Erickson)
|
Diane is played by Bernadette Sefic, with immense success. Sefic all but steals the show each and every moment that they are on stage, leading with energy, charm, and flair. Whether they’re interacting with the audience or attempting to seduce one of the four women that Diane intends to initiate into the latest cult of Dionysus, Sefic commands the room, drawing the eye with their charismatic presence and intentional choices.
Katya Campbell takes on the role of Carol Fleischer, Diane’s hardest nut to crack. Campbell gives a fierce performance, determined to hold her ground and maintain her decisions and point of view until the bitter end. I enjoyed Campbell and Sefic’s back-and-forth battles, especially in the culminating moments of the show. Campbell’s delivery of her final speech to Diane is stellar, and you could feel the audience holding their breath, waiting to see how the story would resolve.
Christina DeCicco as Pam Annunziata is a delight to watch. She’s spunky and she’s sharp, yet it is clear that she cares deeply for these women around her. DeCicco brings a strong physicality to her performance, with one of my favorite moments being her weaponized shoes. Another of my favorite moments is when Pam enlightens Diane on the merits of the local restaurant whose mural she wants to inspire her garden – a local restaurant that must be patronized… or else.
Sharina Martin shows off great comedic chops as Renee Shapiro-Epps. Her timing, intentional facial expressions and physical choices, and her portrayal of the relationships with those around her culminates is a humorous yet grounded performance. Martin also excels in the moments of sudden intensity and sincerity, particularly her revelation to Diane about her position at the magazine that she writes for. That moment showcases incredible vulnerability, and Martin delivers it beautifully.
Alyse Alan Louis is a joy to watch as Beth Wann. Beth is the outlier of the foursome, her character a bit more on the fringe of the group, personality marked by the departure of her husband. Beth is distracted, almost dazed at times, and Louis does an excellent job infusing the somewhat spacey Beth with a sweetness and innocence that tugs on your heartstrings. It’s then all the more satisfying when things go a bit off the rails and Beth is the first to step over the line, Louis lighting up the stage with a vibrant energy that radiates throughout the space.
Katya Campbell takes on the role of Carol Fleischer, Diane’s hardest nut to crack. Campbell gives a fierce performance, determined to hold her ground and maintain her decisions and point of view until the bitter end. I enjoyed Campbell and Sefic’s back-and-forth battles, especially in the culminating moments of the show. Campbell’s delivery of her final speech to Diane is stellar, and you could feel the audience holding their breath, waiting to see how the story would resolve.
Christina DeCicco as Pam Annunziata is a delight to watch. She’s spunky and she’s sharp, yet it is clear that she cares deeply for these women around her. DeCicco brings a strong physicality to her performance, with one of my favorite moments being her weaponized shoes. Another of my favorite moments is when Pam enlightens Diane on the merits of the local restaurant whose mural she wants to inspire her garden – a local restaurant that must be patronized… or else.
Sharina Martin shows off great comedic chops as Renee Shapiro-Epps. Her timing, intentional facial expressions and physical choices, and her portrayal of the relationships with those around her culminates is a humorous yet grounded performance. Martin also excels in the moments of sudden intensity and sincerity, particularly her revelation to Diane about her position at the magazine that she writes for. That moment showcases incredible vulnerability, and Martin delivers it beautifully.
Alyse Alan Louis is a joy to watch as Beth Wann. Beth is the outlier of the foursome, her character a bit more on the fringe of the group, personality marked by the departure of her husband. Beth is distracted, almost dazed at times, and Louis does an excellent job infusing the somewhat spacey Beth with a sweetness and innocence that tugs on your heartstrings. It’s then all the more satisfying when things go a bit off the rails and Beth is the first to step over the line, Louis lighting up the stage with a vibrant energy that radiates throughout the space.
Bernadette Sefic and Christina DeCicco in Hurricane Diane at Hartford Stage, 2025 (T. Charles Erickson)
|
Katya Campbell, Sharina Martin, Christina DeCicco, and Alyse Alan Louis in Hurricane Diane at Hartford Stage, 2025 (T. Charles Erickson)
|
Scenic designer Emmie Finckel, with support from associate scenic designer Forest Entsminger, has created a beautiful, practical kitchen for the characters to reside in. French doors line the upstage wall, with entrances and exits into other parts of the house at upstage left and right. A large island occupies center stage, and the rest of the space is accented with other furniture pieces to play off of, from a low, pillow-covered bench downstage right to the coffee station at downstage left. The kitchen frames the story nicely, well-appointed in a way that anchors us in these women’s lives through visuals.
Costume design by An-lin Dauber adds layers to the characters through their clothing, helping to establish their characters and personalities through their personal styles and grooming. The polished look of Carol contrasts with the more flowing, comfortable clothing of Beth, while the loud prints that characterize Pam are distinctly different from the professional style of Renee. Some of my favorite looks were Diane’s, from full-Olympian glory to that iconic, dirt-splattered yellow rain slicker. Wig design by Jodi Stone is also well done, with my favorite aspect being the shift from the styled, put-together looks to the wild, unkempt looks later in the show.
Krista Smith’s lighting design elevates the story through color, shadow, and light. I loved the looks where colored light mixed with the upstage fog to create dramatic, other-worldly effects.
Sound design by Joyce Ciesil, who is also credited for original composition and is supported by assistant sound designer Joe Krempetz, is very impressive. There is a storm brewing as the show progresses, and the sound work to build and implement that storm is fantastic, particularly in the culminating moments.
Costume design by An-lin Dauber adds layers to the characters through their clothing, helping to establish their characters and personalities through their personal styles and grooming. The polished look of Carol contrasts with the more flowing, comfortable clothing of Beth, while the loud prints that characterize Pam are distinctly different from the professional style of Renee. Some of my favorite looks were Diane’s, from full-Olympian glory to that iconic, dirt-splattered yellow rain slicker. Wig design by Jodi Stone is also well done, with my favorite aspect being the shift from the styled, put-together looks to the wild, unkempt looks later in the show.
Krista Smith’s lighting design elevates the story through color, shadow, and light. I loved the looks where colored light mixed with the upstage fog to create dramatic, other-worldly effects.
Sound design by Joyce Ciesil, who is also credited for original composition and is supported by assistant sound designer Joe Krempetz, is very impressive. There is a storm brewing as the show progresses, and the sound work to build and implement that storm is fantastic, particularly in the culminating moments.
Katya Campbell in Hurricane Diane at Hartford Stage, 2025 (T. Charles Erickson)
|
Christina DeCicco and Alyse Alan Louis in Hurricane Diane at Hartford Stage, 2025 (T. Charles Erickson)
|
Hurricane Diane is a force to be reckoned with, delivering intense truths and calls to action within a wonderfully comedic package. All five actors are top-notch talent, delivering strong performances across the board. Supported by clever and intentional direction and design work, the result is a wonderful example of what live theatre can be when wielded as such – a powerful, provocative, thought-provoking piece of art that will have you laughing, while also leaving with a few things of your own to ponder. Don’t miss your chance to see Hurricane Diane at Hartford Stage, playing now through June 29.
Hurricane Diane plays June 5-29, 2025, at Hartford Stage in Hartford, CT. Learn more and purchase tickets at hartfordstage.org/hurricane-diane or by calling the Box Office at (860) 527-5151.
Kiersten Bjork is a professional theatremaker, performer, and reviewer (Connecticut Critics Circle) from Branford, CT.
Hurricane Diane plays June 5-29, 2025, at Hartford Stage in Hartford, CT. Learn more and purchase tickets at hartfordstage.org/hurricane-diane or by calling the Box Office at (860) 527-5151.
Kiersten Bjork is a professional theatremaker, performer, and reviewer (Connecticut Critics Circle) from Branford, CT.