I was invited to see Curvy Widow, a new play at the Post Street Theatre with Cybill Shepherd gratis because I am a female blogger. That’s a first for me and an incremental indication of the expanding cyber-power of influentials.

A long-time fan of Cybill Shepherd, I’ve even purchased and read her book “Cybill Disobedience.”

Alas, I made it only 15 minutes into this one-woman show before I left to get coffee with my companion.

The set was dull – a Louise Nevelson meets PC Circuit board back drop with some very cheap “modern” furniture. Cybill was poorly dressed in frumpy jeans, a ill-fitting leather jacket and a too casual white empire waist top that didn’t fit the style of the coat. Even her hair was unkempt with stray curls bouncing around behind her. Didn’t anyone look at her before she went on-stage? Cybill, who has your back, girl?

I waited patiently for the shrill initial delivery of her script to quiet into a workable tempo, but neither her delivery or the lines improved. I found myself focusing on all the wrong things as I sat there in the dark. How could I quiet my own squirming? How should that line have been delivered? Why didn’t the Director, Scott Schwartz, give Cybill better direction?

The concept seemed reasonable to me — 50+ widow goes online to meet her match. How this subject was wrought missed the mark for me. But then again, I’m not in my 50’s, I’m in my late 40’s. Perhaps I just couldn’t relate?

I wish Cybill the best with this production but I’d take a keen eye toward developing the execution. Fifty year old women are sharp as hell and I doubt they’ll buy this performance.