By Regina Belt Daniels
What a delicious production! Expertly directed, creatively enacted, and smoothly stage managed, "The School for Lies” by David Ives continues Janus Theatre’s 27th season and is currently running at the Elgin Art Showcase through August 31.
The talented ensemble of nine reveals the story of sassy widow Celimene who is plagued by a pending trial, three good for nothing shallow suitors (she is avoiding any love connection since her husband died), a gossipy frenemy on a mission to destroy her, a clumsy servant, and Frank, a stranger in black, irresistible, and a misanthrope. Based on Molière’s "The Misanthrope" this production is updated to 1976 Paris in Celimene’s drawing room. And it’s all done in rhyming couplets - a true auditory pleasure that provides much humor.
This cast is witty and cheeky and sparkling, (and not afraid) and maintains a stunning verbal display with Ives’ rhyming couplets for dialogue. It’s a 100-minute tribute to Moliere with themes of love, honesty, social hypocrisy, and romantic intrigue throughout.
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| Julie Bayer as Celimene and Aaron Hoge as Frank in The School for Lies by David Ives. |
Director Sean Hargadon makes this production irresistible; he has cast well, staged creatively, and as artistic director of Janus Theatre, he continually strives to produce works that are classic and contemporary as also being fun and challenging. Truly a gift to the audience! Hargadon is joined by Tiffany Jasinski – her costumes are so accurate that they receive applause when a character enters. She utilizes the wide lapel suits, colorful shirts, glittery sequin disco dresses, (and prove some of the characters are looser than their morals.) And Choreographer Jennifer Reeves Wilson, with light/set design by Hargadon take me back to my disco days at the Poison Apple. R&B and rock music is also used on a wonderful record player.
Stage manager Elizabeth Dawson is Hargadon’s right hand, ensuring his show’s vision is realized effectively and efficiently. Throughout the show’s 100 minutes, she keeps it running smoothly and this is definitely not an easy show.
The ensemble of nine is strong and truly not one can be singled out. Each actor has their moment to define their characters, perform some physical activity (by the way all are amazing dancers.) deliver rapid fire dialogue with those couplets and encompass vocal performances that are delightful. Central protagonists Frank played by Aaron Hoge and Celimene played by Julie Bayer (pictured) are outstanding and have an incredible chemistry with each other. Bayer doesn’t make her entrance until a half hour into the show. I believe her when she said she lost her heart when her husband was lost at sea "I wear my widows weed in my heart." Bayer is spunky, intelligent, fearless and strong in her character.
Frank enters with a humorous scene with Philinte who chastises him “there is a man being curious” and Frank pushes him back with “excuse me I’m being furious.“ Hoge plays Frank as a misanthropic despiser of insincerity who falls for Celimene while being the complete outspoken, mysterious, bad boy character. Hoge also has two wonderful scenes with Heidi Swarthout’s kind and sweet cousin Eliante that further the plot and Arsinoe, the villain of the piece. The tall Jennifer Reeves Wilson plays Arsinoe to perfection - “not the sort to gossip." who as Celimene’ s supposed best friend is ready to testify in court that Celimene is a “slut, floozy, tart, whore” - some friend!
The three suitors are played expertly by Stephen Pickering as the wealthy upstanding lawyer
Clitander, ready to bribe any judge for Celimene; Matt Hellyer as the humorous Acaste, a monied, young, entitled authority, who calls himself “dumb and simple” and the hippie poet Oronte, played by Matt Johnson who steals scenes every time he comes through the curtains.
Ben Slabik II is Philinte, a mischievous sort who truly is in love with Eliante. He creates all sorts of problems for the characters and Slabik is another sincerely incredible brilliant performer.
Alexander Wisniewski (besides being an incredible disco dancer), has dual roles as valets Dubois and Basque. He also has an on growing joke with a tray of canapés.
There is of course a happy ending. Opening night was sold out, but I’m sure the rest of the run will be as well. This was a new one for me –Janus Theatre’s production of “The School for Lies” is both an admirably clever, and fascinating production. It’s all in the timing- so get those tickets!
Tickets $25. Go to Janus Theatre.
