The Gaițele

by Alexandru Kiritescu

May 5, 2025, 8:00 PM

You cannot remain indifferent to a performance based on a text such as Kirițescu's „Gaițele”.

At first, you laugh with tears. And then you become petrified because you realize you are laughing at yourself, your family, this people. „Gaițele” perfectly characterizes Romanianism in its harshest, most intimate moments without masks. And the produced show succeeds in capturing this atmosphere of morbid national tragicomedy very well. The scenography, well thought out and easy to maneuver, with strong interwar Romanian accents regarding the house decorations, as well as the soundtrack contribute greatly to building the environment in which the Duduleanu family lives their infamously native life.

You will rediscover 4 extraordinary actresses in the 4 main female roles: Maia Morgenstern (a terrifically credible Aneta Duduleanu, with strong but unexaggerated comedic touches), Carmen Tănase (an exceptional Zoia, likable, but also with expressive power), Virginia Rogin (one of the most refined, complex, and masterly actresses, here with a major role as Lena) and Adriana Trandafir (a mountain of talent, passion, and dedication, meticulously creating an unprecedented Fräulein until now).

You cannot forget the love triangle, brilliantly portrayed by Diana Cavallioti (a sensual, feminine Wanda with a boiling inner strength), Andreea Chirițescu (an astonishingly self-assured Margareta) and Tudor Istodor (an authentic and original Mircea). Gabriel Fătu, Ioana Ancea and Ion Ionuț Ciocia have a very important contribution in the three comedic roles of Ianache, Colette and Georges Duduleanu, the sons and daughter-in-law of Aneta. Last but not least, in the small but very telling role of Zamfira, Mariangela Coldea shines through the joy of performance, bringing to the forefront a role that is usually overlooked. And all this theatrical symphony is confidently conducted by director Gelu Colceag.

Congratulations are always directed to Imelda Manu, the creator of the scenography, Ioana Colceag and Geanina Punkosti, creators of the remarkable costumes fitting for the time of the action, but also to Teodora Petre, assistant director, who ensures the smooth running of each performance.

Cast:
Aneta Duduleanu – Maia Morgenstern
Zoia – Carmen Tănase
Lena – Virginia Rogin
Fräulein – Adriana Trandafir
Wanda Serafim – Diana Cavallioti
Margareta Aldea – Andreea Chirițescu
Mircea Aldea – Tudor Istodor
Ianache Duduleanu – Gabriel Fătu
Georges Duduleanu – Ionuț Ciocia
Colette Duduleanu – Ioana Ancea
Zamfira – Mariangela Coldea

Director — Gelu Colceag