Cornbury- The Queen's Governor: History's a Drag

William M. Hoffman and Anthony Holland's "Cornbury: The Queen's Governor" has been waiting some 33 years for a premiere production. I myself read it in an anthology of Gay Plays about 10-12 years ago, not realizing it had never been produced. Theatre Askew takes on the challenge of presenting this fascinating work, and generally meets it head-on.

Edward Hyde, Lord Cornbury, became the third English Royal Governor of New York in 1702. He was profligate in his spending (and possible embezzlement), and there were tensions between the English and the Dutch powers. History, a chancy thing at the best of times, suggests that Hyde was a frequent transvestite- at the time considered an abomination. A purported painting of Cornbury in women's attire is held by the New York Historical Society.

From the sketchy historical details, Hoffman and Holland have derived a fantastical comic pageant of what might have been. Their Cornbury (played by David Greenspan) is a noble figure, enslaved to beauty in all its forms. He's presented as an innovator, giving attention to various ethnic groups (Jews, African slaves and Native Americans- thereby celebrating the melting pot that New York has become), and fighting against the oppressive Dutch Calvinists, led by Pastor Cornelius Van Dam (Everett Quinton), and his confederate Margareta De Peyster (Bianca Leigh), who at first want to remove Cornbury from his position due to his cross-dressing, but of course really crave his power, and eventually get him thrown into debtor's prison, along with his kleptomaniac wife Marie (Julia Campanelli), his secretary Spinoza DaCosta (Ken Kliban), his former African Princess slave Africa (Ashley Bryant) and DaCosta's Native American protégé Munsee (Eugene the Poogene).

The script is full of wit and philosophy, as well as being quite funny. It does seem overlong occasionally, especially when introducing irrelevancies that don't contribute to the story. Director Tim Cusack takes his cues from the presentational nature of the script, peppering the show with amusing affectations- most of the set is two-dimensional Trompe-l'œil style, with drops raised and lowered by the actors in view of the audience (gorgeous set design by Mark Beard)- several amusing anachronisms in the props and costumes add to the sense of giddy pageantry.

The large and diverse cast is excellent, led by Greenspan, who, as Cornbury, always seems to be speaking from his royal throne- never deigning to understand any of the very real concerns surrounding him. Quinton chews appropriately hilarious amounts of scenery as the pastor. Leigh is wily and very funny as de Peyster. Bryant is a hoot as Africa. Christian Pedersen, who plays Van Dam's son Rip, has a lovely and sincere presence, thoughtfully underplaying the role against the histrionics of everyone else. Campanelli is sweet as Cornbury's long-suffering wife (who, according to Wikipedia, died 2 years before the events of the play), and her French accent is a delight. Eugene the Poogene is an understandable savage as Munsee and shows off his toned body in a loincloth through most of the show. Erik Sherr is great in several roles, including a narrator, a jailer, and a foppish English nobleman. The rest of the cast- Tara Bast, Nomi Tichman, and Jenne Vath- all get their moments to shine as well.

Cornbury: The Queen's Governor
By William M. Hoffman and Anthony Holland
Presented by Theatre Askew

Through February 8, 2009
Mon., Wed.-Sat. 8:00 p.m., Sat. Matinee: 2:00 p.m., Sun. Matinee: 5:00 p.m. No performances Tuesdays.

Hudson Guild Theatre
441 West 26th St.
(Between 9th & 10th Aves.)

$18; $15 students/seniors
Call: 212-352-3101 or online through Theatermania.com

http://cornburytheplay.com
http://www.theatreaskew.com/

Photos by Gustavo Monroy

1. Everett Quinton, Bianca Leigh & David Greenspan
2. David Greenspan & Christian Pedersen

 

 

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