Review: AN IDEAL HUSBAND at BUFFALO'S IRISH CLASSICAL THEATRE

WITTY WILDE AT IRISH CLASSICAL THEATRE

Buffalo's Irish Classical Theatre is doing what they so often do best- presenting a classic, like their current production of Oscar Wilde's AN IDEAL HUSBAND, with subtlety and care. Wilde is known for his comedies of manners and society, and in AN IDEAL HUSBAND we are treated to a delicate balance of marital discord and political subterfuge.

As with all of Wilde's wordy plays, witty bon mots need to trip off the tongue without effort, and happily the leading characters all are seasoned enough so as not to allow their English accents to get in the way. Leading the troupe is the fabulous Chris Kelly, as Sir Robert Chiltern, whose political indiscretion sets the crux of the play into motion. Kelly seems to-the-manor-born, as the successful head of the household who is being swindled and undone by the out of town visitor, Mrs. Cheveley (Kate LoConti). LoConti has became a favorite of the ICTC and for good reason, her grandeur is perfectly balanced with a coy sense of evilness.

Kristen Tripp Kelley as Lady Chliltern plays in great contrast to LoConti. Ms. Tripp Kelley is the soft voiced wife of Sir Robert, but her ingenuity is ever apparent in her attempt to outdo Mrs. Cheveley's dastardly plan of blackmailing her husband. Where LoConti is often outwardly pompous and regal, Ms. Kelley contains her emotions with steamy calmness. Tripp Kelley nicely balanced the unhappy task of attacking her husband's political indiscretion with the possibility of forgiveness. Here Wilde masters the wordplay in which being ideal should not be confused being an idol, or idolized. This conundrum was delicately handled by Mr. Kelly and Ms. Tripp Kelley, as the two brought brilliant and well paced tension to the stage.

A true highlight of the evening lay in the casting of Ben Michael Moran as the plucky young English dandy, Viscount Goring. Seemingly modeled after Wilde himself, Goring is that slightly effete bachelor whose life of leisure and frivolity is the bane of her father's existence. More concerned about social status and the color of his lapel flower than working and settling down, Mr. Moran appropriately postured, gasped and strut as only a proud peacock would. Steve Jakiel, as his father, the ever exasperated Earl of Caversham, has some clever and quite hilarious encounters with his son in the final scene. Stage veteran Pamela Rose Mangus nicely rounded out the cast as the quick witted Lady Markby, who provided her sage wisdom and commentary of the downfalls of a long marriage.

Director David Oliver has done wonders in transporting us to each of the three venues needed for this production. Using a workmanlike set that cried for a bit more detail and opulence, the opening scene swirled as party goers made their way around a central seating area. Reconfiguring the set allowed for interesting staging possibilities, where all of the audience has a perfect seat for the proceedings.

Sumptuous costumes by Karo Drozd and Dixon Reynolds helped fill the void of the limited set by Dyan Burlingame, while subtle lighting by Brian Cavanagh nicely framed each scene.

AN IDEAL HUSBAND plays at Irish Classical Theatre from June 3 to June 26, 2016. Visit irishclassical.com or call 716-853-4282 for tickets.Curtain times: Thursday- Saturday evening 7:30PM. Saturday Matinee 3:00PM, Sunday Matinee 2:00PM

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