“An Ideal Husband” is an Ideal Show for Today from 3rd Act Theatre
Brooke Howard as Mrs. Gertrude Chiltern and Cam Taylor as Senator Chiltern in “An Ideal Husband”. Photo courtesy of April Porterfield
Oscar Wilde, venerated and vilified is a playwright not to be tampered with. Yet Kate Adams successfully tweaked “An Ideal Husband” to create a play both as elegant as Wilde intended and also particularly familiar to modern audiences. Adams also directs the 3rd Act Theatre presentation kicking off 2022 with engaging success.
Set in Washington D. C. “An Ideal Husband” reveals political corruption and blackmail at its most nefarious and discusses morality in public life as well as in personal life. Wilde’s original play was first presented in 1894, and not much has changed since that time in terms of the thematic choices Wilde made. Adams re-imagining only enhances the timelessness of human fiendishness and frailties as well as human virtuousness and redemption.
Cast members are Cam Taylor as Senator Robert Chiltern, a young senator establishing an excellent reputation as a man of integrity. Taylor matures into his role quite well. His wife, Mrs. Gertrude Chiltern is played by Brooke Howard, a woman supportive of her husband’s career and idealism, yet one who is easily disappointed by his failings. Her transition is believable and honest. Peter Fischaber is Arthur Goring, a Washington D. C. playboy and apparent superficial social climber with some very interesting redeeming qualities. Fischaber’s talent is evident in his interpretation of this role. Brenna Crow is delightfully cheek as the lovely Chiltern niece, Mabel Chiltern, secure in her place as a Washington socialite. She is also a potential love interest of Mr. Goring.
Bailey Lucien (seated) as Mrs. Cheveley and Cqm Taylor as Senator Chiltern looking on in shock. Photo courtesy of April Porterfield
Bailey Lucien is cast as Mrs. Cheveley a woman of independent thinking and morality. She (or perhaps she-devil) exhibits the worst aspects of stereotypical feminine evil with great skill. It may be notable that in the time of Oscar Wilde, perhaps They are not so misguided about gender identification. She combines the disdainful characterization of Wilde’s with a modern slant that is equally diabolical under Adam’s direction. Christine Jolly plays the innocent yet deliberate social climbing Mrs. Markby, an enthusiastic friend and admirer of Mrs. Cheveley introducing her to an unprepared Washington society.
Arthur Goring has a disappointed father, Senator Caversham, a long-time distinguished senator played with enduring style by Doug Carlton. His expectations of an apparently ne’er do well son are lowered with each passing year as he is completely unaware of his son’s positive attributes. It is interesting to watch his reaction in the discovery that Arthur Goring is actually rather a decent human being. (Senator Caversham is actually only interested in the appearance that his son projects!) Rounding off the cast is Eric Strimple who plays the valet of Goring (Phipps) as well as the Chiltern butler (Mason) with distinctive differences. He is a traditional butler for the Chilterns, but definitely a modern version of a valet, with little evident respect for his employer.
The entire cast has an excellent grasp of the characters and presents an entertaining show although the first act is somewhat stilted. It seems as though the actors are speaking the words of Wilde as pronouncements rather than actual dialogue but as the act progresses, they become more comfortable with their roles. The second act reveals very natural interactions and chemistry that makes “An Ideal Husband” a delight to watch.
”An Ideal Husband” is being presented through February 13, 2022 at the Shoppes at NorthPark Mall starting 2022 with a resounding bang. Assisting Adams as director is Bob McGill, Technique Consultant, Madison Sanford, Stage Manager and Dani Becker, Board Liaison. Production staff includes Don Taylor, designing the excellent set, Dakota Lee Bryant, sound designer and props with Michele Fields, lighting designer and also, props. The costumes are designed by Amandanell Bold, who is the Artistic Director of 3rd Act Theatre. Melanie Ambrose is the stage hand who makes it happen.
From left, Bailey Lucien as Mrs. Cheveley with Christine Jolly as friend Mrs. Markby and Brooke Howard as Gertrude Chiltern. Photo courtesy of April Porterfield
For information and or tickets visit 3rdActTheatreCo.com or call 405-593-8093. The theatre address is at 12040 N. May Avenue in NorthPark. Patrons should be aware that due to Covid-19 concerns masks are required in the theatre, and the actors are wearing face shields. Also due to the pandemic, the concession stand is closed. As heated air can be quite dry, particularly with long term mask wearing, don’t forget to bring along a bottle of water to avoid discomfort. That is all you need for a very entertaining evening, quite relevant today and in honor of Wilde’s elegance and wit as well as his controversial life-style.