The Gaițele

by Alexandru Kiritescu

July 6, 2025, 8:00 PM

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

At first, you laugh with tears. And then you are petrified because you realize that you are laughing at yourself, at your family, at this people. "Gaițele" is the perfect characterization of Romanianism in its most brutal, intimate and maskless moments. And the produced show manages to capture very well this atmosphere of morbid national tragicomedy. The scenography, very well thought out and easy to maneuver, with strong interwar Romanian accents regarding the decorations of the house, as well as the soundtrack, contribute greatly to the construction of the environment in which the Duduleanu family lives their infamously local life.

You will rediscover four extraordinary actresses in the four main female roles: Maia Morgenstern (a terribly believable Aneta Duduleanu, with strong comic accents yet undramatized), Carmen Tănase (an exceptional, charming Zoia, but also with a strong stage presence), Virginia Rogin (one of the most refined, complex and masterful actresses, here with a major role in Lena) and Adriana Trandafir (a mountain of talent, passion and dedication, meticulously creating a Fräulein like never seen before).

One cannot forget the love triangle, brilliantly portrayed by Diana Cavallioti (a sensual, feminine, and fiercely powerful Wanda), Andreea Chirițescu (an astonishingly self-assured Margareta) and Tudor Istodor (an authentic and original Mircea). Gabriel Fătu, Ioana Ancea and Ion Ionuț Ciocia make a significant contribution to the three comic roles of Ianache, Colette and Georges Duduleanu, Aneta's sons and daughter-in-law. Last but not least, in the small but very expressive role of Zamfira, Mariangela Coldea shines through the joy of her performance, bringing to the forefront a role that is usually overlooked. And all this theatrical symphony is masterfully conducted by director Gelu Colceag.

Congratulations also go to Imelda Manu, the creator of the scenography, Ioana Colceag and Geanina Punkosti, responsible for the exceptional costumes appropriate to the period of the action, and 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

Directed by — Gelu Colceag