A Modern Twist to the Cowardy Touch

Private Lives – Raven Theatre

 In what seems like a mini Noel Coward Festival in Chicago this Fall (“Hay Fever” is playing at City Lit Theater Company), Raven Theatre, Chicago’s newest Equity-affiliated company, opens its 40th season with a fresh take on what may be the playwright’s most popular play. It’s a perfect choice for a theatre company known for producing works that highlight the power of words. Noel Coward is best known for his sparkling, witty dialogue, his eccentric and memorable characters and his biting satire of the upper class elite. In achieving this, “Private Lives” is a mostly delicious confection.

Director Ian Frank, who brought Remy Bumppo’s “Frankenstein” a Jeff Award for Best Production, has done a remarkable job with Noel Coward’s classic romantic comedy, giving a modern twist to the Cowardy touch. His cast includes Chicago favorites Emily Tate, as Amanda, Rudy Galvan as Elyot, and newcomers Alexis Green as Sybil and Matthew Martinez Hannon as Victor. In an especially unique bit of casting, Bradley Halverson plays the French maid, Louise. Every word, every syllable, every raised eyebrow and condescending glare is just as Coward intended.

Handsome Rudy Galvan, who dazzled audiences in “The Gentleman Caller,” is dapper and debonaire in the role Noel Coward wrote especially for himself. Mr. Galvan’s delivery is direct and often deadly venomous, hitting his target with carefully chosen and enunciated words and phrases. The actor wields a subtle arrogance that bites although, for his intended prey, the sting isn’t always immediately realized. 

Lovely Emily Tate is as magical as Amanda as she was in Raven’s productions of “Crumbs From the Table of Joy.” Leading with her aristocratic chin, Ms. Tate matches her talented costar, look for disdainful look and word for supercilious word. The actress not only sounds as if she was born to play this role, but looks the part, particularly in a stunning satin evening gown that Gertrude Lawrence or Tallulah Bankhead would’ve envied. 

As the play opens, this perfectly matched couple, once married and now divorced, have each remarried someone else. But, as fate would have it, they surprisingly meet again on the joined terraces of their respective honeymoon suites. Throughout the next two acts they love, criticize, argue and fight with every ounce of their being. Here we have two accomplished actors having a field day playing the roles of a lifetime.

Alexis Green makes her Raven Theatre debut in this production, lighting up the stage as Sybil. Ms. Green, who only recently relocated to Chicago, has previously charmed audiences across the country. We’re fortunate now to have this talented young actress in the Windy City. She brings her youth and vivacity to a character who, in lesser hands, would be left in the dust by Amanda. But in this fascinating production, Ms. Green not only holds her own, but leaves a lasting impression long after the final bows. Between her bubbly euphoria at being a newlywed, and her hilarious tantrums and tears when events turn sour, Alexis makes the most of this spoiled British babydoll. 

A recent DePaul graduate in Acting, handsome Matthew Martinez Hannon, who also boasts theater credits from around the country, is strong and commanding as Victor. From the first scene, he demonstrates that Victor’s an easy prey for Amanda and will soon prove to be less of a sparring partner. When Mr. Hannon and Mr. Galvan confront each other in Act III the stage sizzles with their comic rivalry. The audience soon realizes that Victor and Sybil are not only united in combat, but show signs of probably becoming another younger version of Amanda and Elyot. 

Bradley Halverson’s portrayal of a put upon, very easily irritated maid, who speaks entirely in perfect French, adds yet another level of comedy to this play. They are hilarious prancing across the stage, belting out songs as a sexy chanteuse and carrying out Amanda’s demanding orders. They are constantly condescending to everyone, giving the stink eye to this quartet of snooty, demanding Brits.

The only criticisms with this production might be nitpicking. While Joe Schermoly’s scenic design for Act I is simple, but elegant and stylish, his French apartment setting for Acts II and III leave something to be desired. The flat lacks the glamour and finesse that the audience would expect to find in Amanda’s living quarters. By the same token, while Gregory Graham’s costumes for Act I are tasteful and chic, the attire for the second half of the play lacks that same polish and poshness. In addition, theatre audiences familiar with “Private Lives” have come to expect Noel Coward’s iconic musical composition, “Someday I’ll Find You.” The only time we ever hear this lovely, familiar piece of music is when Rudy Galvan casually plunks it out on a piano. “The Power of Love,” a more contemporary tune belted out by Celine Dion, is substituted for Amanda and Elyot’s couple’s song. And although Ian Frank has created one of the production’s funniest moments in Act I, when Amanda and Elyot hear this over and over again, many will miss Coward’s signature musical piece.  

This play, written in 1930, still brims with Cowardy comedy and command, thanks to Ian Frank’s tight direction. He has guided his cast in their creation of characters that are strong, honest and urbane, while giving the story a subtle update. Mr. Frank still allows the playwright’s superbly-written language to rise to the surface, always bubbling and fizzing like a newly-opened bottle of champagne. And, because of this, we revisit a play that will leave audiences once again inebriated with laughter.

Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas       

Presented September 29-November 13 by Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark St., Chicago.

Tickets are available at the Raven box office, by calling 773-338-2177 or by going to www.raventheatre.com.

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