“An Ideal Husband”Oscar Wilde is a Hit at Gloucester Stage

REVIEW – Onstage now at the Gloucester Stage Theater, “An Ideal Husband” is an 1895 comedic play by Oscar Wilde which satirizes political corruption, image, hypocrisy, redemption, jealousy, honesty in government and the moral superiority of some women. Sound familiar? Themes just as pertinent today as in Victorian times.

This is a must-see play and offers great summertime fun especially as our political season heats up. In “An Ideal Husband” Wilde satirizes noble nobles, political shenanigans, financial insider trading, loyalty and foolishness. The comedy is produced, performed, staged and directed with panache, great comedic timing, and crisp diction allowing the audience to enjoy Wilde’s wit and wisdom. Under the direction of Karen MacDonald, with an adaptation by Daniel Morris, a handsome set by Julia Noulin-Merat, and in a classy Victorian set, with period costumes by Molly Trainer.

Four actors portray nine characters, some requiring cross-dressing, adding to the humor of this roller coaster, fast-witted, fast- paced s comedy of manners about friendship, political corruption, blackmail, and redemption. Listen up, Rod Blagojevich. Thanks to Karen MacDonald’s crisp direction, and the actors’ good acting, the play is a great night at the Gloucester Stage Theater.

The witty Wilde wrote many now-classic lines in this play, I kept scribbling away in my notebook in an effort to remember them. Some of my favorites: “I always pass on good advice. It is the only thing to do with it. It is never of any use to oneself.”

"To love oneself is the beginning of a life-long romance."

"Philanthropy seems to me to have become simply the refuge of people who wish to annoy their fellow-creatures."

"Questions are never indiscreet. Answers sometimes are."

As the play gets going, we are introduced to the main characters in this social and political contretemps involving the upper and ruling British class. Sir Robert Chiltern, is angry at his wife’s refusal to sanction his past corruption and his about-t-be-repeated second act of political corruption (issuing a favorable report on an Argentine Canal scheme so the British cabinet will endorse it),

"How many men there are in modern life who would like to see their past burning to white ashes before them!" Sir Robert eventually says, explaining why he’s ready to give in to blackmail that will destroy his marriage, good name and career in the British government. But his wife, Gertrude, morally indignant, gets him to apologizes and show moral courage even if it will ruin him. She also aims to save him, and expose sexy, evil Mrs. Cheveley, his blackmailer, save his career and honor. Friends help her, too.

The ensuing plot complications, drawing room comedy involving grand drawing rooms, fathers, sisters, and friends offer great entertainment and pointed political and moral barbs.

The appearance of Angie Jepson as Mrs. Cheveley, a seductive schemer who’s blackmailing Sir Robert Chiltern (Brendan Powers), a rich aristocrat who’s undersecretary for foreign affairs. Brendan Powers is a handsome, believable and eventually likeable character who I wanted to triumph, especially after he spoke against the Argentine scheme.

A romance between Sir Robert’s intelligent sister, Mabel (also played by Angie Jepson), and Lord Goring (Lewis D. Wheeler), who once was engaged to Mrs. Cheveley, a former classmate of Lady Chiltern who even then was a thief and liar keep the plot lively.

The production’s four actors acquit themselves ably, British accents and ease handling multiple parts (the men play minor female characters and the women play minor male characters).

As Lady Chiltern, Carrie Ann Quinn, is simply wonderful, a bit idealistic and simpering at first, then strong and determined. Good job. Lewis D. Wheeler has many of Wilde’s best lines as Lord Goring, and he delivers them with am aristocratic nonchalant air.

AN IDEAL HUSBAND Play by Oscar Wilde, adapted by Daniel Morris, Directed by: Karen MacDonald. Sets, Julia Noulin-Merat. Costumes, Molly Trainer. Lights, Kenneth Helvig. Sound, David Remedios. Gloucester Stage Company, Gloucester, through Aug. 29. Tickets: $37. 978-281-4433, www.gloucesterstage.org.

NEXT AT THE GLOUCESTER: Trad -- September 2 – 12, by Mark Doherty, A hit in Boston, Trad is the hilarious fable of hundred-year-old Thomas and his improbably ancient Dad. When Thomas reveals that he once fathered a son in a long-ago fling, the pair set off across the Irish countryside to find the child, with nothing more than a hobble and a limp to help them. • Artists’ post-show“Talk Back” Sunday, September 5. Directed by Carmel O'Reilly, Starring original cast members, Nancy E. Carroll, Colin Hamell & Billy Meleady. Tickets available now.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Sensational at NSMT

Sometimes it felt like a three-ring circus, so much is happening at once. Deliciously wonderful, its universal themes, and catchy music make it a classic treat for families.

REVIEW: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is a fun, frolicking, energetic, high-spirited musical narration of the Old Testament story from Genesis of Joseph, father, Jacob, and Joseph’s 11 jealous brothers. Eventually, the 12 reconciled and became the 12 Tribes of Israel. The timeless, fun show is entertaining for audiences of all ages and performers, superbly staged and performed, with dazzling costumes and dances.

Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s musical retelling of the Biblical story of Joseph is high-powered fun for the whole family.
Sitting in the North Shore Music Theater, Beverly, audience in the round, so close to the action onstage, I felt transported to the Biblical days in the land of Canaan and Egypt. The non-stop singing, and terrifically entertaining dancing left me happy when Joseph was thrown into jail and had to sing a solo. Whew! Time to just hear his voice. The lovely silken voice of Jennifer Paz, The Narrator, Joseph’s brothers, patriarch Jacob, Egyptian dancers, and children’s chorus, Potiphar, the Cook in Prison, romped up and down the aisles, hopping easily on and off stage, through the trap in the floor – Joseph was thrown into the pit.

Anthony Fedorov (American Idol) as Joseph has a soaring, strong voice stars in the title role. A handsome guy, with a natural ease on stage. Jennifer Paz as the Narrator is engaging and enchanting with her soaring voice and graceful movement. Gary Lynch as Pharaoh is a hoot as a pre-incarnation of Elvis.

The opening night audience including dozens of kids who appreciated the kid chorus, whooped and hollered in appreciation. Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's kaleidoscopic family musical retelling of the biblical story of Joseph, his devoted father, his jealous brothers, and his incredible series of adventures leading him to become the Egyptian Pharaoh’s high ranking official, in large part thanks to his ability to interpret dreams.

In this all-sung piece the story is told through a variety of melodic musical styles. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s music ranged from country to calypso, reggae, vaudeville, and rockabilly and rock ‘n roll in a series of musical numbers. Tim Rice’s lyrics are witty and hilarious. Sometimes it felt like a three-ring circus, so much is happening at once. Deliciously wonderful, its universal themes, and catchy music make it a classic treat for families.


JOSEPH’s songs include "Any Dream Will Do," the Caribbean infused "Benjamin Calypso," the dazzling "Jacob and Sons/Joseph's Coat," the rockabilly sensation "Song of the King (Seven Fat Cows)" and the unforgettable "Go, Go, Go Joseph."

Kudos to imaginative director/choreographer Jayme McDaniel who seamlessly delivers an original spectacular, high-energy production. My one complaint was that a group of black-robed women stood still in a group for too long during an Act I song, blocking the center stage. Otherwise, the creative crew was superb -- Eric Alsford (Musical Director), Campbell Baird (Scenic Designer), Jose Rivera (Costume Coordinator), Chris Chambers (Lighting Designer), James McCartney (Sound Designer), and Gerard Kelly (Wig Designer). The psychedelic curly wigs the Hair dancers wore made me laugh; while the Pharaoh’s wife and attendants sequined sexy costumes were fascinating, showing the pickle Joseph was in as she tried to seduce him. Oops, then he landed in jail.

In Act I we learned about Joseph’s dream. Able to interpret the dream, he bragged about his future greatness to his brothers. Joseph, dressed in simple white, was their father’s favorite, wore the coat of many colors his father bestowed upon him. He was also the only blonde in the tribe of dark-haired raggedy-clothed brothers, all “The Sons of Jacob” (another raucous song with dance, Andrew Lloyd Weber song “Any Dream Will Do” earned the envy of his older brothers. Not so peaceful in Canaan because not only was Joseph his father’s favorite, but he also had the gift of prophecy.

The 11 brothers let their hatred consume them. Watching their sheep, they plotted to get rid of Joseph in the desert. They tore off his robe, threw him into a pit, then pulled him out and sold him to traders heading to Egypt, Whew. But surely we all know the story?

This first full-length musical by theatrical team Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, JOSEPH is a retelling of the biblical story of Joseph, his devoted father, Jacob, his jealous brothers, and his incredible series of adventures. The musical was only 20 minutes long when unknown 19-year-old Andrew Lloyd Webber created it for a British school choir in 1968. He asked his friend Rice to write the lyrics and soon they expanded it to 40 minutes and took it to the London stage. Since then, JOSEPH has continued to grow, both in length and popularity.

The NSMT production features a gaggle of local gleeful kids as chorus, who were seen throughout the show skipping rope, throwing balls, playing and singing. The present and past.

The high-stepping choreography, snappy staging, neon, psychedlic costumes, and many hilarious dance numbers. Hints of “West Side Story” and Elvis’ songs add to the frivolity.

Jennifer Paz The Narrator with the children's Choir,
Rachelle Rak (Mrs. Potiphar) and ensemble, a seductress who didn’t get her “man” so had Joseph thrown into jail where our her to began the journey out of jail and into Pharaoh’s inner court.
Gary Lynch as The Pharaoh – an Elvis look-alike – made the audience howl when he first appeared, shaking and singing. In "Those Canaan Days" - Daniel C. Levine as Napthali reviewed the tribes’ tribulations. "Benjamin Calypso" - Anthony Fedorov (Joseph), Brandon O'Neill (Asher) and ensemble was a song that was hard not to dance to.

The ensemble cast features Bob Amaral (Jacob, Potiphar), Will Cohen (Judah), Anthony Christian Daniel (Zebulun), Nick Kenkel (Simeon), Miles A. Johnson (Dan), Daniel C. Levine (Napthali), Brandon O'Neill (Asher), Matt Owen (Levi), Frankie Paparone (Gad), Christopher Spaulding (Issachar), Allan Snyder (Reuben), and Michael Warrell (Benjamin). Katie Leigh Allen, Lauren Lukacek, Rachelle Rak (Mrs. Potiphar), reminded me of some again Hollywood star aiming for another conquest. Ann-Marie Sepe, Allysa L. Shorte, Emily Tyra, and Megan Wean. All terrific.

JOSEPH also features a chorus of 20 talented local children. Tickets for JOSEPH are $35 - $65. Performances are August 3 - 22, Tue - Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri & Sat at 8 pm, matinees Wed, Sat and Sun at 2 pm. For tickets and information call (978) 232-7200, visit www.nsmt.org, or in person at 62 Dunham Rd. Beverly.