[NEohioPAL] Berko review: AN IDEAL HUSBAND @ GREAT LAKES THEATER FESTIVAL

[Roy Berko]

AN IDEAL HUSBAND delightful yet purposeful at GLTF 

Roy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)

--THE TIMES NEWSPAPERS--

Lorain County Times--Westlaker Times--Lakewood News Times--Olmsted-Fairview 
Times

--COOLCLEVELAND.COM-

Oscar Wilde's AN IDEAL HUSBAND, now running in repertoire with OTHELLO at the 
Great Lakes Theater Festival, is a social comedy.  Comedy because it is full of 
Wilde's wonderful use of paradox (absurd statements that express truth) and 
sarcastic comments about society and people.  In addition, it deals with 
important social issues, which are as relevant today as when the play was 
written in the late 1800s. 

To understand Wilde's plays it is helpful to understand Wilde, the man.  During 
his college years he became part of the “Oxford Movement,” a group that 
expounded upon the virtues of classical culture and artistry.   They stressed 
art for art's sake.  This philosophy carries over into his plays.  Then there is 
Wilde's personal life.   He was married, but had an affair with the much younger 
Lord Alfred Douglas, whose father did not approve of the gay relationship and 
accused Wilde of sodomy.  Wilde, unwisely, tried to sue the father.   Wilde's 
case was dropped when his homosexuality, acts which were outlawed in England, 
was exposed. Wilde was sentenced to two years hard labor in prison. His trial 
took place during the London run of THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST and AN IDEAL 
HUSBAND.   His name was taken off the billboard of the plays and they were 
originally published without his being credited as the author.  

It is prophetic that in AN IDEAL HUSBAND Wilde states, "we shall all have to pay 
for what we do."  He paid heavily for what he had done as he left jail penniless 
and died shortly thereafter at the age of 46.

AN IDEAL HUSBAND revolves around the lives of two men, successful political 
figure, Sir Robert Chiltern, and his friend, the charming and frivilous Lord 
Arthur Goring.  The world of these men is turned upside down by the arrival of 
an old acquaintance, Laura Cheveley, who has come with blackmail in mind.  
Chiltern could lose everything, including his wife Gertrude, if Cheveley 
succeeds and Goring could lose his adored Mabel.  Underlying the actions is the 
question of what makes for an ideal husband.

The Great Lakes production, under the direction of Sari Ketter, is delightful.  
Ketter proposes that the play is like a fairy tale and carries out the theme in 
manner, dress and setting.  She perceives that there are prince charmings 
(Chiltern and Goring); princesses (Gertrude and Mabel); a wicked witch (Laura 
Cheveley); a couple of mean gossips (much like Cinderella's step sisters); 
galloping horses (the stage hands who prance through the choreographed set 
changes); and in, the end, as in every good fairy tale, an ending in which the 
“good ones” live happily ever after.  

Ketter's concept is not the usual approach to the script.  Therefore, some might 
complain that the production is too light, too frothy and loses the serious 
undertone.  Since I like to see Wilde's comedies take on this light approach, 
while letting the underlying meaning of the words carry the message, I am most 
pleased with this production.  

The GLTF cast is excellent.  Richard Kalutsch, who ironically has a strong 
physical resemblance to former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, is a 
believable Sir Chiltern.  David Anthony Smith is nothing short of delightful as 
Viscount Goring (probably Wilde's alter ego).  Aled Davies is full of bluster as 
Goring's nagging father.  Jodi Dominick is properly uptight as Chiltern's wife 
and Sara Bruner is charming as Mabel, Chiltern's sister.  Maryann Nagel is so 
very, very proper as Lady Markby, a prominent member of London society, and 
Laura Perrotta hones in on the role of scheming Mrs. Chevely as makes her into 
the “wicked witch” with a vengeance.  Credit must also go to the young men 
playing the servants and footmen for their precise movement of set pieces, which 
often brought applause and laughs from the audience.

Jason Lee Resler's costume designs are exquisite and Nayna Ramey's fragmented 
set works well.

CAPSULE JUDGEMENT:   GLTF's AN IDEAL HUSBAND is a production which should please 
and delight audiences. 

Side note:  An excellent 'TEACHER PREPARATION GUIDE' has been prepared by Daniel 
Hahn and Kelly Schaffer Florian to be used by instructors who are bringing their 
students to see the play.  They can be obtained by contacting Kelly at 
kflorian at greatlakestheater.org or by calling 216-241-5490.

For tickets to  AN IDEAL HUSBAND which runs until October 21 in repertory with 
OTHELLO call 216-241-6000 or visit www.greatlakestheater.org.
 
Roy Berko's blog, which contains theatre and dance reviews from 2001 through 
2010, as well as his consulting and publications information, can be found at 
http://royberko.info

His reviews can also be found on www.coolcleveland.com and NeOHIOpal (to 
subscribe visit http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/neohiopal.)