Breaking Through the Glass Ceiling

The Explorers Club – Citadel Theatre

 

Poking fun at the exclusive gentleman’s club, that curiously insular, 19th century English institution, Nell Benjamin’s hilarious Victorian farce explodes with wild physical comedy, bizarrely quirky characters and delicious, intricate wordplay. Imagine, if you will, an alliance of British scientists and explorers, a clique of self-entitled men, who’ve devoted their entire lives to various forms of discovery, research and experimentation, all sequestered away from the interference of the fairer sex. This is the Explorers Club, a warm, wood-paneled sanctum of scientific sharing, featuring private rooms for each of its members and a conservatory/lounge for celebrations involving conversation, cigars and brandy. But the glass ceiling is about to break.

Lucius Fretway, devoted young botanist and the acting president of the Explorers Club, has some startling news for his fellow club members. He’s proposing to renounce decades of staunch tradition and admit a lovely, intelligent young woman into their all-male fraternity. Phyllida Spotte-Hume is a scientific explorer who has recently returned to London with an important anthropological discovery. She’s discovered the lost city of Pahatlabong, and has even brought back a blue-hued member of the NaKong Tribe, whom she’s affectionately calls Luigi. When Phyllida unexpectedly bursts into the gentlemen’s inner sanctum, with Luigi in tow, she regales the membership with terrifying tales the tribe’s curious lifestyle and culture.

The assembled congregation of explorers are initially reluctant to accept Phyllida but, after a demonstration of the importance of her discovery, they change their minds. Phyllida will have an audience with Queen Victoria (oh, rapture!), whose illuminated portrait hangs upon the wall of the Club. There she’ll introduce the monarch to Luigi, who’s been taught to drop to the floor in reverence, upon hearing the Queen’s name. What happens next sets off a series of unexpected events that carry this farce through two acts of convoluted comedy and introduces a couple more new, eccentric characters.

Brilliantly directed by guest director Robert D. Estrin, who demonstrated his expertise at the Citadel with past farces, including “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” “Don’t Dress for Dinner” and his terrific production of “Lend Me a Tenor,” audiences will find unbridled delight in yet another broad, bawdy merry-go-round of merriment. In fact, this production is bound to stand out as one of the finest in Citadel’s sixteen year history. This is the kind of play that this theatre company does best, and Artistic Director Scott Phelps should perhaps consider making his theatre the go-to venue for farce and broad comedy.

Another element of this production that makes Citadel’s “The Explorers Club” so special is the best scenic design since their 2010 production of “The Boarding House.” Conceived by University of Illinois MFA graduate, Jose Manuel Diaz-Soto, this gifted artist has a brilliant career ahead of him. He’s transformed the intimate Citadel stage into a jaw-dropping, realistic environment, the likes of which is comparable to anything seen at the Steppenwolf or Goodman Theatres. It’s an authentic-looking, richly-detailed room that could’ve been lifted intact from ye olde London. Besides its authenticity, it provides a practical floor plan that offers room for Mr. Estrin’s nine-member cast to play out their story. Master carpenter Jason Clark, working together with scenic artist Sandie Bacon and properties manager Mark Holley, have created a private clubroom and fully-stocked bar that drips with appropriate decor. The period-perfect furnishings, the minutia that adorns the walls, shelves and tabletops—everything that comprises this masterpiece of theatrical creativity is sheer perfection.

Added to this an array of colorful, nicely designed and perfectly tailored Victorian costumes by Paul Kim. They help each actor set the tone and establish the quirks of his or her character, while allowing for ample movement and flexibility. An illuminating lighting design by Matthew Wofford keeps everything nicely visible and focused, while Bob Boxer’s sound design is spot on. And a special shoutout to dialect coach Cate Gillespie for her achievement in guiding this cast of Midwestern actors to sound like a bevy of Brits born within the bells of Big Ben.

The entire cast must be commended for their artistry and uniform excellence. Together these nine marvelous Thespians work together to make Nell Benjamin’s script play even better than it deserves. Each actor creates a memorable, unique character who, besides being an individual, meshes together with the rest of the company to become an ensemble member. Charismatic, boyishly handsome Nate Strain keeps all the balls in the air as he juggles the demands of running the Explorers Club. Strain, who has the bulk of the dialogue, is thoroughly likable and supremely eloquent. In addition, he’s a powerhouse of energy and agility. Elizabeth Rude brings a classy sophistication and gutsy determination to the dual roles of Phyllida Spotte-Hume and her snooty twin sister, the Countess Andromache Glamorgan. Each of her characters is quite different yet created by the same talented actress. Ms. Rude’s relationships with both Lucius and her tribesman, Luigi, hilariously played by Frank Gasparro, are spirited, natural and genteel.

The rest of the scientists, as portrayed by this talented cast, are all special and without equal. Jacob Fjare is quite humorous as Professor Cope. His character’s devotion to herpetology, particularly the cobra that continually hangs around his neck, is funny. The whimsical and witty zoologist, Professor Walling, as played by the inimitable Erik Pearson, is simply side-splitting. His character’s relationship to Jane, his very special guinea pig, is particularly comical. Pearson makes Walling into the Oscar Wilde of the group with his stylized posing, preening and flamboyance.

Bob Sanders is a sound presence as Professor Sloane, the eldest member of this somber, scientific society. As one of the only self-proclaimed archeo-theologists in London, Sanders makes his pompous professor a hoot, especially as he’s the brunt of everyone’s jokes. And Harry Percy, the society’s president, who has just returned from an expedition, may have lost all of his men, blast the luck. In this role, Guy Wicke is masterful. When he dons his costume from a Gilbert and Sullivan, he elevates his comedic potential tenfold. Playing both an Irish Assassin and Mr. Beebe, another explorer, Artistic Director Scott Phelps demonstrates his versatility and talent as a character actor. Chicago favorite, Edward Kuffert commands the stage as Sir Bernard Humphries, the private secretary to Queen Victoria. Arriving with his booming, formidable voice and imposing, no-nonsense stature, Mr. Kuffert is a representative of his Queen, in all matters of importance. And in this case, his matter is very important to every member of the Explorer’s Club.

Set in Victorian London, this very funny farce, by Nell Benjamin, is made even funnier by Robert D. Estrin’s fine direction. It delivers a grand finale to Citadel Theatre’s current season and introduces Lake Forest audiences to a very talented ensemble of standout comic actors. This production, with its magnificent scenic design and period costumes, may be the finest of Citadel Theatre’s productions, to date. It’s a definite must-see for anyone who enjoys an enjoyable evening of captivating comedy—the perfect, lighthearted way to spend a warm Spring night in the theatre.

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented April 27-May 27 by Citadel Theatre, 300 S. Waukegan Rd., Lake Forest, IL.

Tickets are available at the box office, by calling them at 847-735-8554 or by going to www.CitadelTheatre.org.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.