Anya Kai, reporting

The Modern Classics Theatre Company of Long Island (MCT) stands as a vital non-profit force in the regional arts scene, committed to presenting innovative theatrical productions that often feature modern and classic works seldom seen locally. Operating as the official theatre company in residence at the BACCA Arts Center in Lindenhurst, NY, MCT champions diversity by advocating for non-traditional casting, inviting actors of all backgrounds to join their community. This commitment to fresh, challenging work is perfectly exemplified in their upcoming production of the award-winning comedy, Five Lesbians Eating Quiche.

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The Absurd Delight of Five Lesbians Eating Quiche

MCT’s production of Five Lesbians Eating Quiche (running from November 8–23, 2025) is a farcical, immersive journey into 1950s repression and atomic-age anxiety. Written by Evan Linder & Andrew Hobgood and directed by Julie Lorson, the play, a winner of the 2012 New York International Fringe Festival, is a celebrated cult hit.

Plot and Thematic Core

The audience is welcomed as “sisters” to the annual quiche breakfast of The Susan B. Anthony Society for the Sisters of Gertrude Stein. The all-female gathering, characterized by the motto “No men, no meat, all manners,” is a thinly veiled celebration of sublimated sapphism in a rigidly conservative era.

The comedy shifts into high gear when nuclear war breaks out, trapping the society’s officers and members in the meeting hall, which doubles as a fallout shelter. Faced with imminent annihilation, the women’s carefully constructed decorum cracks like eggshells, leading to hilarious and heartfelt confessions that go “far beyond their shared love of quiche.” The play uses the exaggerated repression and absurdity of the 1950s Cold War setting to ultimately deliver a powerful, joyous message of self-acceptance and community in the face of chaos.

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Spotlight on Laurie Atlas: The Veteran Performer and Dedicated Board Member

Actress Laurie Atlas is a key figure in this production and within Modern Classics Theatre itself, embodying the blend of seasoned talent and deep commitment that defines the company.

The Role: Wren (The Enthusiast)

In the production, Laurie Atlas plays the character of Wren. While the official cast list mentions multiple actors, including Atlas and Deb Rupy, performing in the show, Atlas specifically identifies her role as Wren. Typically, Wren Robin is portrayed as the enthusiastic, often manic, Chairwoman of Events, whose boundless energy and dramatic flair help drive the quiche-centric rituals of the society before the nuclear crisis hits.

Career and Creative Philosophy

Atlas brings a wealth of professional experience to the stage. She holds a BA in Theatre and has been a member of SAG-AFTRA for over 40 years, with a background spanning live theatre, film, television, and radio. Her career also includes work as a singer, voice-over actress, and even a computer graphics engineer at NBC and ABC, showcasing a remarkable breadth of professional skill. She was last seen on the MCT stage as Bernadette in POTUS.

When asked why she chose this play, Atlas highlighted its communal and restorative qualities: “I read the script. I enjoy the company of women. And it’s a play especially in the times we live in that would provide fun joy and escapism.” This desire for joy and escapism aligns perfectly with the absurd, celebratory tone of the production.

Her creative process is distinctly audio-focused: she “talk[s] out the script” and speaks out all the characters’ lines until she is able to fully form her own character for the show. Her primary obstacle was overcoming internal self-doubt and the trap of overthinking: “I had a lot of ideas for this character until I relaxed and stopped doing 17 different versions and finally honed into the part.”

Atlas’s Commitment to MCT

Beyond her performance, Laurie Atlas is an integral part of the organization’s structure, serving on the Board of Directors (as Secretary) of Modern Classics Theatre. This role demonstrates her commitment not just to the craft of acting but to the mission and longevity of the company.

Following Five Lesbians Eating Quiche, Atlas and fellow board member Julie Lorson will pivot to producing MCT’s annual One Minute Play Festival on December 5, 6, and 7, which will feature a holiday theme. This event serves as a creative showcase and annual fundraiser, underscoring MCT’s role in fostering new, concise, and diverse theatrical works within the Long Island community.