By Vicki Paris Goodman, Arts & Entertainment Editor
Wilde’s traits show up in wild mystery for An Ideal Husband on Playhouse’s Mainstage
For me the amusement began before the play even started, as I read the cast of characters. The roster’s names are themselves enough to elicit a smile and encourage a chuckle.
Playwright Oscar Wilde (my unarguable long-time favorite), in spite of having been himself a Londoner, seemed to take an outsider’s view of the excesses and downright silliness of Victorian society. He also had an ear for how things sounded. Names like Mrs. Cheveley (gesundheit!), the countess of Basildon and Lady Markby, when uttered with the proper high society English accent, frankly crack me up. I’m sure I’m not alone.
Though not as well distilled a play as Wilde’s The Importance of Being Ernest, An Ideal Husband still ranks as a winner. It finds the beyond-reproach Sir Robert Chiltern (Kevin Deegan) being blackmailed by the devious Mrs. Cheveley (Stephanie Schulz). Yes, the lady has found a chink in Chiltern’s armor, a folly of his youth unknown to his no-nonsense wife Lady Gertrude (Brenda Kenworthy), who idolizes her husband beyond reason. Uh oh.
In the meantime, the very rich and very idle Viscount Goring, played with lovable joviality and great expression by Bill Peters, ably but kindly fends off the incessant badgering of his highly critical father, the earl of Caversham (Peter Stone)–another one of those fabulous names. Dad objects to his son’s lack of an occupation, as well as his mid-30s bachelorhood.
No problem. Goring has his eyes set on the delightful sister of Sir Robert, Miss Mabel Chiltern (Lisa Perez), who has Goring wrapped around her little finger but adores him as much as he adores her. Miraculously not one to let a parent’s belittling affect his self-esteem, Goring carries on with amazing self-acceptance and affable good humor.
Don’t try to follow my descriptions of the plot. As usual, Wilde hasn’t provided much of one, which is of no consequence whatsoever. The fact also allows for the insertion of a host of other engaging characters who seem to serve no purpose other than to entertain us with their ridiculous concerns, expressed through Wilde’s cleverly contrived repartee.
The colorful cast featured some additional highlight performances. Teri Ciranna’s high-pitched and vocally vacillating depiction of the brilliantly confused Lady Markby produced one particular monologue that stole the show.
The chemistry between Goring and his bone-dry butler Phipps (Bruce Thomas Eason) was decidedly reminiscent of the pairing of Dudley Moore with Sir John Gielgud in the movie “Arthur.” The comic timing of Peters and Eason compared admirably.
Director Phyllis B. Gitlin rose to the occasion to bring an amateur cast together for this challenging production. The one miss for me is in the interpretation of Mrs. Cheveley, who appears here a bit too obvious and one-dimensional. A sweeter depiction by Schulz might have achieved the counterpoint necessary to display the scheming character’s intended mystery and complexity.
The myriad intricate Victorian garb proved no costuming job is too daunting for designer Donna Fritsche. One stunning green dress in particular, worn by Schulz, blew me away.
Andrew Otero’s set, representing a room in the Chiltern house, was very well appointed. But if that weren’t enough, Act 4 called for a set change from Lord Goring’s library back to the Chiltern’s. Otero’s clever design allowed for a rapid set change from one highly detailed room to another. Well done.
The best thing about Wilde’s plays are the way they achieve meaningful and timeless social commentary out of sheer nonsense. An Ideal Husband is no exception. Wonderful entertainment and a message–what more can one ask?
An Ideal Husband continues on the Long Beach Playhouse Mainstage through Saturday, June 16. General admission tickets are $22; $20 for seniors. Student tickets are $12 on Fridays and Saturdays with valid student ID. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., with Sunday matinees on May 27, June 3 and 10 at 2 p.m.
Call (562) 494-1014 for reservations and information. Tickets are also available online at www.lbph.com.
