In today's economy-minded times, big-cast ensemble plays have gone the way of the dinosaur, but one San Diego theater troupe is ideally suited for the sprawling stage epic -- Lamb's Players Theatre.
With a year-round company of actors, directors and designers, the Coronado theater company is the only midsize theater in town that still regularly tackles the plays described as ensemble works -- requiring cohesive, detailed work from a large company of actors. The company scores yet again this month with its current production of Oscar Wilde's "An Ideal Husband."
Charmingly directed, well-cast and beautifully costumed, Wilde's classic comedy gets a smart, crisp staging that fits the witty spirit of its author. Except for a slow start -- the first 20 minutes plod like molasses with parliamentary party chatter that has lost its topical relevance with time -- the play moves swiftly and delivers plenty of swats and stings before it's done.
"An Ideal Husband" is the story of a fast-rising member in England's House of Commons, Sir Robert Chiltern, who is known for his fair-minded and honest opinions in debate. But Sir Robert is hiding a dark secret from his past: As a young government clerk, Sir Robert shared some inside information on a canal deal with a wealthy nobleman, and in return, Sir Robert was rewarded with a small fortune that helped set him up for life. Many years later, the conniving, greedy widow Mrs. Chevely arrives from Vienna threatening to expose Chiltern's secret unless he supports a corrupt investment scheme that she's a part of.
The news of Mrs. Chevely's blackmail plot and her husband's past indiscretion lands hard on his sanctimonious wife, Lady Chiltern, who believed him godlike and incorruptible. And it falls to their wealthy but idle bachelor friend, Lord Goring, to try and double-cross Mrs. Chevely (who'd be willing to drop her scheme if Goring will marry her) and help set things right again.
Director Kerry Meads lightens the mood of the show with inspired comic double-takes, clever casting (Steve Gunderson is a hoot as the robust yet feminine dowager, Lady Markby), blase servants and humorously choreographed scene changes. And Rick D. Meads give the proceedings the proper Wildean touch with his spot-on bon vivant Lord Goring.
Lamb's longtime directors Robert Smyth and Deborah Gilmour Smyth lead the cast as the troubled Sir Robert and the deceitful Mrs. Chevely. Robert Smyth has a terrific scene defending himself against his outraged wife, subtly and warmly played by Glynn Bedington, and Gilmour Smyth is wonderfully wicked.
Colleen Kollar Smith is perky and brainy as Mabel Chiltern, Sir Robert's niece, who's the perfect foil (and mate) for Lord Goring. David Cochran Heath is blustering and aged as Lord Goring's disapproving father, the Earl of Caversham. Jon Lorenz amuses as Lord Goring's terminally bored butler, Phipps. And Season Duffy, Jillian Frost and Patrick Duffy complete the cast in a number of small roles.
Mike Buckley's stage design of platforms, archways and a few pieces of furniture is simple but versatile, and it's colorfully lit by Nate Parde. But of particular note are the lavish and beautiful costumes of Jeanne Reith -- particularly Lady Chevely's rich and gorgeous peacock dress in the second act. A nice touch is the color-coordination of the costumes between couples and even with the furniture and draperies in each scene. It's that little extra dash of polish that makes all of Lamb's productions look first-rate.
"An Ideal Husband" runs two hours, 20 minutes, with intermission.
"An Ideal Husband"
When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays; 4 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays; through Nov. 18
Where: Lamb's Players Theatre, 1142 Orange Ave., Coronado
Tickets: $28-$52
Info: (619) 437-0600
Web: www.lambsplayers.org
