Reviewed
by Judy Richter
Contemporary playwright David Grimm has translated and adapted Molière's "The Learned Ladies" as "The Learned Ladies of Park Avenue," setting it in a luxurious Manhattan apartment during the Depression. He has retained Molière's satire, focusing on three rich, snobbish women who aspire to lofty intellectualism by patronizing a ninth-rate poet, Upton Gabbitt (Brian Herndon). His coterie is led by the formidable lady of the house, Phyllis Crystal (Phoebe Moyer); her sister-in law, the vampish Aunt Sylvia (Maureen McVerry); and one of her young adult daughters, Ramona (Julia Motyka).
In
the meantime, Phyllis' other daughter, Betty (Kristin Stokes), has just become engaged to the
likable but not rich Dicky Mayhew (Darren Bridgett). Betty's father, Henry (Warren
David Keith),
approves of their pending marriage, but he has to convince Phyllis to do
likewise. Phyllis, however, wants Betty to marry Upton. Henry is assisted in
his efforts by his bachelor brother, Uncle Rupert (Jackson Davis). Also figuring into the action
are another author, T.S. Bains (Colin Thomson), and the household's Hungarian
cook, Magda (Nancy Sauder).
All
of the action takes place within a handsome Art Deco set by Joe Ragey with lighting by Steven B.
Mannshardt. Fumiko
Bielefeldt's
chic costumes pick up colors from the set. The sound design, featuring popular
songs of the period, is by Cliff Caruthers.
Although
the play is a satire on intellectual pretension as well as social snobbery
during the Depression and although director Robert Kelley's deft touch is apparent, the
play doesn't work well. Much of the problem rests with its use of rhymed
couplets. True, Shakespeare used rhymed couplets, and so did Molière. Some of the
rhymes here are quite clever, but others result in cliches. The overall effect
is strained and distracting. I sometimes caught myself coming up with the
appropriate rhyme instead of hearing the meaning. The couplets also seem to
make the actors -- a skilled group indeed -- work too hard on the words, losing
spontaneity and much of the enjoyment.
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