 |
| Lord Windermere finds the fan in his friend's boudoir! |
The imaginative Chalk Rep company is known
for presenting plays in unconventional spaces around Los Angeles County.
For Oscar Wilde’s comedy of manners, they have chosen the lawns
and courtyards of UCLA's William Andrews Clark Memorial Library in historic West Adams. As the scenes change, the audience moves from
one elegant atmosphere to an even more dazzling one, as if on a set designed by
a Victorian genius. How delightful to find Wilde’s romantic play being
performed in a setting as beautiful as the play is witty.
 |
| Lord & Lady Windermere & the 3rd Man |
Lady Windermere is looking forward to her coming-of-age
birthday ball when she learns of her husband's infidelity. A mystery woman has
him in thrall and suddenly her exquisite fan, that she thought a loving gift from a doting
husband, becomes a weapon to strike a rival. However, the other woman has a
secret past that draws Lady Windermere into a whirlpool of indiscretion that
almost destroys her life. Then, in a sophisticated series of Wildean complications,
we are finally blessed with a happy and satisfying ending.
 |
| A Gentlemen's Club? |
Clever director Jennifer Chang brings new life to a
classic with excellent performances by her non-traditional cast. Plaudits to Amielynn
Abellera as naïve Lady Windermere, Owiso Odera as dignified Lord
Windermere, Brian Slaten as romantic Lord Darlington, Tess
Lina as vivacious Mrs. Erlynne, Peter
Wylie as smitten Lord Augustus, Teri Reeves as gossipy Duchess of
Berwick, Amin El Gamal as Dumby, Feodor Chin as
Cecil Graham, Scott Keiji Takeda as Mr. Hopper, Allie Jennings as Lady Agatha, George
Wyhinny as Parker the genial Butler, and Amalia Fite as a
surly Maid and a Lady at the Ball.
Costumes by Halei Parker, set & props by Art
Betanzos, and lighting by Rebecca Bonebrake subtly enhance the elegance of this
past era.
A Chalk Repertory Theatre production at The
William Andrews Clark Memorial Library, 2520 Cimarron St. (at Adams Blvd), Los Angeles. Weekends through
August.
Photos by Shari Barrett
No comments:
Post a Comment