The Wisdom of Eve Reviews
Stage and Cinema- Recommended
"...Any fan of film noir most assuredly has seen the 1950 major motion picture All About Eve, which shares the story of a young Broadway hopeful who schemes her way into the backstage life of an established star just to replace her in the ingenue role she has grown too old to play. But did you know it is based on the 1946 short story (and subsequent 1949 radio drama) The Wisdom of Eve by Mary Orr' Most likely not since Orr did not receive a screen credit in the film. Her story also made it to Broadway musical fame with Applause, a star vehicle for Lauren Bacall in the lead role of the aging star (40, oh no!) who lets her guard down and suffers the consequences."
Stage Scene LA- Somewhat Recommended
"...The results are uneven, and at nearly three hours in length the play outstays its welcome, but at the very least Mary Orr’s The Wisdom Of Eve gives Whitefire Theatre audiences the chance to see how All About Eve might have turned out had it been adapted by its original author and not by the brilliant Joseph L. Mankiewicz, who received sole writing credit (and two Oscars) for the film. (The answer is not nearly as good.)"
Stage Raw- Recommended
"... A ruthlessly ambitious striver rises from obscurity through unscrupulous means. It's a familiar story, possibly the most American story there is. Most readers should be familiar with the Oscar-winning 1950 film, All About Eve, which starred Bette Davis as an aging star and Anne Baxter as the aspiring actress scheming to usurp her. The film was based on a 1936 short story by Mary Orr, who then adapted it into a play. All the nuts and bolts of the story have been preserved in director Bryan Rasmussen's faithful and enjoyable revival. While living up to the film may be an impossible task, the play is similar enough to satisfy both loyal fans and people who don't know the story at all."