The Female Psyche Stars in ‘Defending the Cavewoman’

Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre will close its milestone 35th season with the United States premiere of “Defending the Cavewoman,” written by Emma Peirson.

The play digs deep into the female psyche, and sends the male of the species scattering in all directions by debunking the stereotypical myths about how women think. It’s a tongue-in-cheek, affectionate look at the quirks, foibles and idiosyncrasies of both men and women, from a modern female perspective.

This one-woman show stars Carbonell Award-winning actress Lindsey Corey, who received her BFA in musical theater from New World School of the Arts in Miami. She last starred as Nancy in “Oliver!” at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre directed by two-time Tony Award-nominated director/choreographer Denis Jones.

Corey’s many Actors’ Playhouse credits include Dyanne in “Million Dollar Quartet” and “Million Dollar Quartet Christmas,” Audrey in “Hank Williams: Lost Highway,” Belinda/Flavia in “Noises Off,” the Lady of the Lake in “Spamalot!,” “Sondheim on Sondheim” and Belle/Fan/Ghost of Christmas Past in “The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge.”

Usually part of an ensemble cast, Corey is excited about performing in a one-woman show.

“I think the key to my success in anything in life is preparation, and it’s the best way to go,” she said. “If I know my script and everything and I am set up to succeed, I don’t feel nervous about that. The reason we get into this, especially for me, was that connection with the audience and creating empathy – and connecting with people and being a part of something bigger than yourself.”

One of the things Corey is most excited about, she says, is being a part of a world premiere play. She’s had the privilege of participating in nearly a dozen, and it’s always interesting to her to see how audiences receive them.

“There’s always something really exciting about working on something that people in this area haven’t ever seen before,” she said. “It’s a big task. It’s fun. It’ll be interesting to see how American ears receive this, but I think it’s written in such a way that everyone can relate to it. How we do coexist with someone else when are inherently so different?”

Artistic director David Arisco, who initially selects all the shows each season at Actors’ Playhouse, said this one jumped out at him. He brings a number of shows to the theater company’s leadership team and board of directors before a final decision is made.

“There’s always this spot for a show that is just different, and something that hasn’t been seen before. I’ve always been fascinated with that old theme of the battle of the sexes, or men are from Mars, women are from Venus,” he said. “To look at it in a funny way, it’s very relatable for people. No matter what your relationship is, you all have a relationship where some days, your partner is just exasperating or sometimes you are. It’s just a funny thing.”

The play is inspired by another called “Defending the Caveman,” written by actor and comedian Rob Becker; it was originally his stand-up comedy routine before it went to Broadway. In 1996, “Caveman” became the longest-running solo (one-man) play in Broadway history.

“Defending the Cavewoman,” presented as a day in the life of a contemporary woman, is already drawing large audiences and critical acclaim in several European cities.

“In the process, you begin to discover the old idea of the caveman, when men were the hunters and women were the gatherers,” said Arisco. “Now we are in a world where both people have learned how to do both, and (experiencing) how that’s affected us. You’re not just laughing and having a good time; you’re seeing how and why things are different. It talks about the evolution of men and women.”

Because this is a one-woman show, Arisco said its execution will be a collaborative process between him, Corey and the show’s lighting director, sound engineer and set designer.

Corey says one of the big things she hopes people take away from this performance is that there’s a thriving theater community in South Florida.

Many of her fellow New World School classmates went to New York and Los Angeles after graduation to find work. She, instead, auditioned for roles locally to build her résumé before spreadingher wings in larger cities.

“I have found that this is a thriving theater community down here and it’s been wonderful,” said Corey. “It’s nice to know I can make a living in the place I have called home for this long. I don’t have to live in a tiny apartment in New York City to feel like I’ve had some sort of success. There’s some balance there.”

Actors’ Playhouse 2023-24 Season

“Sweet Goats & Blueberry Señoritas”

Nov. 8 – Dec. 3, 2023

“Legally Blonde: The Musical”

Jan. 31 – Feb. 25, 2024

“Caroline, or Change”

Mar. 27 – April 14, 2024

“A Rock Sails By”

May 15 – June 9, 2024

“Hundred Days”

July 17 – Aug. 11, 2024