By Sarah A. Spitz
Atwater Crossing (The Hollywood Times) January 27, 2026 … When Catherine Butterfield was a young actress in New York, like most starving artists she needed a job to sustain her art. So she temped with an agency that brought her into the homes of the rich and cultured, many of whom lived in classic old Brownstone buildings in the city. She fell in love them.
That love inspired her new play Brownstone at Open Fist Theatre, directed by her husband Ron West. It’s a trip through time by way of three pairs of people who lived there in the 1930s, the 1970s and the early 2000s.
There is a very clever interweaving of the stories from the outset, with a music mashup from each of the eras as actors make their way to the stage. The set by Jan Munroe is beautiful and authentic with slight decor changes to represent each time period (a classic vintage telephone, a beanbag chair and a contemporary arc floor lamp, for example).
And while most of the action in each of the time periods takes place with just the two specific actors, there are occasions when all characters merge on stage simultaneously. There’s also a significant through line in all the stories about relationships with the women’s fathers.
Costumes designed by Mylette Nora are outstanding, with curve-hugging drapey gowns in the 30s, robes and casual work wear in the 70s, as well as shiny party dresses and sexy negligees for the 2000s.
The first pair, representing the late 1930s and upper class New York society, are Davia (Chelsea Spirito) and Stephen (Matthew Goodrich). Davia is named for her overpowering father, David, and is desperately trying to remove herself from his omnipresent influence.
He will manipulate her into meeting Stephen, about whom she is initially disdainful because it’s really a power alliance with Stephen’s dad that he’s after. Stephen is a newspaperman and not rich but love will grow between them.
Next we meet Deena and Maureen, aspiring young actresses from very different economic classes. Deena (Rosie Byrne) is from a wealthy Texas oil family and has all the advantages her father offers, including paying for a Broadway play for his girl to appear in.
Maureen (Amber Tiara) has to eke it out on her own. She is roommates with Deena, and her struggles are more genuine than Deena’s but in the end, it’s Deena who becomes a victim and Maureen a star.
Finally we have Jessica (Jade Santana) and Jason (Isaac W. Jay), an up-and-coming New York power couple. She is striving to make her father proud of her successful career in the advertising business while Jason is an investment banker working in the heart of the financial universe, based at the World Trade Center.
They’re engaged to be married but their conflict revolves around an unexpected pregnancy, which will change everything.
Performed in two acts, we get to know each of the pairs in Act One, and witness how historical events will change their fortunes in Act Two. But some astonishing connections between the parties are revealed through the physical presence of the Brownstone itself.
This is a play that connects multiple stories and ties loose up ends in a very satisfying way. In my opinion, it could do with a trim, time-wise, but I’m not a playwright, so there’s no way I could imagine how to do that.
Go see it and be surprised. It’s onstage at Open Fist Theatre through February 28, located at 3269 Casitas Ave in Atwater Crossing. For tickets visit openfist.org or call (323) 882-6912.
