If you're looking for a 5 lesbians eating a quiche review, you've probably either just seen this play or are trying to decide if it's worth the ticket price, and honestly, the short answer is a resounding "yes." This show is one of those hidden gems of the theater world that manages to be incredibly silly while packing a surprisingly emotional punch by the time the curtain drops. It's a fast-paced, high-energy satirical comedy that doesn't take itself too seriously, yet it says a lot about community, identity, and the masks we wear to fit into society.
I first stumbled across this play a while ago, and I wasn't quite sure what to expect from the title alone. I mean, it's a bit of a mouthful, right? But the title is actually a very literal description of the setup—at least for the first ten minutes. After that, things go completely off the rails in the best possible way.
What Is This Play Actually About?
The story is set in 1956, right at the height of the Cold War and the "Red Scare." We're introduced to the Susan B. Anthony Society for the Sisters of Gertrude Stein. They're holding their annual quiche breakfast, and the atmosphere is thick with mid-century politeness, floral prints, and a very intense obsession with eggs.
The five women on stage—Lulubelle, Wren, Veronica, Ginny, and Dale—are the leaders of this society. They have a very strict set of rules, the most important being "no men, no meat, all manners." It's all very "Stepford Wives" meets a community garden club, but there's an underlying tension that you can feel from the moment the lights come up.
The "5 lesbians eating a quiche review" wouldn't be complete without mentioning the inciting incident. Just as they're about to dig into their prize-winning quiche, an air-raid siren goes off. It turns out the world is ending (or at least, the neighborhood is being nuked), and these five women find themselves trapped in their community center basement, which doubles as a fallout shelter.
The Comedy of Absurdism
What makes this play work so well is the absurdist humor. It's not just "ha-ha" funny; it's "I can't believe they just said that" funny. The obsession with the quiche becomes a metaphor for their entire lives. When the atomic bomb drops, their biggest concern isn't necessarily the radiation—it's the fact that their precious quiche might be contaminated or, heaven forbid, contain a stray piece of bacon.
The dialogue is snappy and incredibly rhythmic. If the cast isn't perfectly in sync, the whole thing could fall apart, but when it's done right, it feels like a high-speed train of comedy. The way they interact with each other is a masterclass in ensemble acting. You have the high-strung leader, the "innocent" newcomer, and the one who is clearly one step away from a total nervous breakdown.
One of the funniest running gags is their "no meat" rule. In the 1950s setting, this is a thinly veiled euphemism for their sexuality. They aren't just a group of friends who like breakfast food; they are a community of women who have found a safe haven in each other. The "quiche" is their cover, and the society is their sanctuary.
Audience Participation: You're Part of the Club
A major highlight of any 5 lesbians eating a quiche review has to be the audience interaction. From the moment you walk into the theater, you aren't just an observer—you're a member of the Susan B. Anthony Society. The actors address the audience directly, giving people names and roles within the club.
I've seen versions where the actors walk through the aisles, judging the "members" (the audience) for their posture or their lack of enthusiasm for eggs. It breaks the fourth wall in a way that feels inclusive rather than intrusive. You're in the bunker with them. When they panic, you feel the frantic energy in the room. It makes the experience feel much more like an "event" than just a standard sit-and-watch play.
The Characters You'll Meet
Each of the five women brings a totally different flavor to the table—pun intended.
- Lulubelle: She's often the "mother" figure of the group, trying to keep everyone calm while her own world is literally exploding.
- Wren: She's the spark plug. High energy, slightly chaotic, and obsessed with the purity of the society.
- Ginny: Usually portrayed as the more "eager to please" member, her character arc during the disaster is hilarious to watch.
- Dale: She's the one with the most secrets, and her eventual "reveal" is one of the emotional high points of the show.
- Veronica: The stern, rules-oriented leader who has to watch her carefully constructed world crumble.
The chemistry between these five is what carries the show. Even though the situation is ridiculous, the actors play it with such sincerity that you actually start to care about whether they'll survive the fallout (and the lack of quiche).
Beyond the Laughs: A Deeper Meaning
While the play is marketed as a comedy, and it definitely is one, it's also a poignant look at the closet culture of the 1950s. These women have spent their entire lives hiding who they are. They've built this elaborate, secret world where they can be themselves under the guise of a "society for the sisters of Gertrude Stein."
As the threat of death looms outside the bunker, the "polite" facade starts to crack. They realize that if the world is ending, there's no point in hiding anymore. The play moves from a farce about eggs to a powerful story about "coming out" and embracing your true self, even in the face of total destruction.
It's surprisingly moving. You go from laughing at a joke about a crustless tart to feeling a lump in your throat as these women finally say the words they've been terrified to speak for decades. It's that balance of "silly" and "sincere" that makes this play stand out from other fringe comedies.
Why You Should See It (Or Read It)
If you have the chance to see a local production, I can't recommend it enough. It's usually a short show—often running around 70 to 90 minutes without an intermission—which is the perfect length for this kind of high-octane energy. It doesn't overstay its welcome. It hits you with the jokes, drags you into the drama, and then leaves you feeling empowered and slightly hungry for breakfast food.
Even if you aren't a big "theater person," the writing is accessible. It doesn't feel pretentious. It feels like a celebration. It's a celebration of queer identity, female friendship, and, of course, the culinary arts.
Final Thoughts
To wrap up this 5 lesbians eating a quiche review, I'd say this play is a must-watch for anyone who enjoys campy humor with a heart of gold. It's a reminder that even when the world is literally falling apart, we still have our communities (and our quiches).
Don't go in expecting a serious historical drama. Go in ready to shout "I am a lesbian!" along with the cast (don't worry, they'll prompt you) and to laugh until your sides ache. It's absurd, it's loud, and it's one of the most fun times you can have in a darkened theater.
Whether you're a "sister of Gertrude Stein" or just someone looking for a good laugh, this play delivers. Just maybe eat a snack before you go, because you will leave craving eggs.