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Last Summer at Bluefish Cove

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Last Summer At Bluefish Cove

Last Summer at Bluefish Cove, by Jane Chambers, is a play about a woman spending her last summer with her family of friends, at the same time having unexpectedly fallen in love. This work is considered a milestone in lesbian theatre history.

Production History

Produced by The Glines (John Glines, artistic director; Lawrence Lane, managing director), Last Summer at Bluefish Cove opened at Actors Playhouse, 100 Seventh Avenue South, New York City, December 22, 1980 and closed March 1, 1981 after 80 performances. Cast: Jean Smart as Lil, Susan Slavin as Eva, Janet Sarno at Kitty, Holly Barron as Annie, Dulcie Arnold as Rita, Lauren Craig as Rae, Celia Howard as Sue, Robin Mary Paris as Donna. General understudy was Mercedes Ruehl. Other credits include Director: Nyla Lyon, Set Design: Reagan Cook, Lighting Design: Jeffrey Schissler, Costume Design: Giva R. Taylor.

Jean Smart debuted on the New York stage in this production, and received a Drama Desk nomination for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play. She reprised the role of Lil in a Los Angeles production, for which she won both a Drama-Logue Award and a Los Angeles Theater Critics Association Award for Best Actress.

Characters

Lil- the main character. Lil was a girl scout, and occassionally swears on scout's honor whenever she is lying. It is gradually revealed throughout the play that Lil is suffering from severe cancer, and that this will most likely be her last summer. She has already undergone chemotherapy and had several organs removed, including her ovaries, uterus, and tubes. Because of this, she is faced with her own mortality, and is crushed by her lack of a legacy. Her family disowned her following her coming out. In prior summers, Lil has had affairs most of the other women in the cove, and has maintained a deep frienship with all them, though never experiences true love, until she meets Eva.

Kitty- Kitty is a feminist writer and former doctor, by the end of the play she decides to reopen her practice. Despite being a feminist, she has not come out and is terrified of what her homosexuality would do to her reputation as a writer. She is involved with Rita.

Rita- Kitty's lover and secretary.

Sue- a blueblood, involved with Donna. She is self conscious about her age and appearance, and the difference in age between her and Donna (she is 40 while Donna is only 20).

Donna- involved with Sue. Donna is spoiled, Sue claims that its her fault. Some of the character remark that Donna is a gold digger, but their love seems to be mutual and dependant one one another.

Rae- Rae is a housewife-type, and embarrassed that she enjoys cooking and cleaning, which is considered anti-feminist by Kitty. Involved with Annie.

Annie- the spunky one, involved with Rae.

Eva- Eva comes to the cove following her divorce with her husband, not aware that it is a lesbian colony. Lil is immediately attracted to her, but not understanding the nature of the cove, passes her off as friendly. Eventually, she comes out as a lesbian, and begins a relationship with Lil.

Plot

Act One starts with Lil and Eva meeting on the coast of the cove. Lil is immediately attracted to Eva, but Eva, not recognizing her flirts, simply assumes she is being friendly. Lil, not realizing that Eva is straight, invites her to a party later that night. Upon Lil realizing that Eva is not a lesbian, she is mortified, and tries to gently uninvite her from the party. But Eva still doesn't take the hints.

Most of the characters are horrified that a straight women is not only attending the party, but living in the cove. Kitty especially is terrified of what her homosexuality will do to her career. Lil convinces them to pretend they are all straight, at least for the party. When Eva arrives, they stumble through awkward dialogue until Donna and Sue arrive. Not aware of the misunderstanding, they exclaim that they are lesbians, and that everyone at the cove is a lesbian. All the characters are embarrassed by the situation, with Eva abruptly leaving. Later that night, she returns to Lil and realizes her attraction. They begin their affair, with Lil concealing her cancer from her.

Act Two jumps to midsummer. The severity of Lil's cancer is revealed to the audience as well as Eva, after she collapses suddenly in agonizing pain. She refuses to undergo further chemotherapy, or have any other organs removed, accepting that this is her time. She is crushed that for the first time she feels true love (to Eva), and that her time is so close. Eva promises to spend the rest of Lil's time by her side.

The last scene in the play is the remaining character mourning Lil's death. Kitty decides to reopen her practice, Eva plays with the idea of renting Lil's cabin next summer. Of all the character, Eva grows the much, becoming a strong, independent woman, rather than the scared dependent person she started the play as. The last lines of dialogue are meant to emphasis this:

Annie: You need a hand?

Eva: No thanks, Annie, I can make it by myself.

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