BWW Reviews: 'Triumph of Love' is Triumphant at Olney Theatre Center

If you haven't made plans yet for Mother's Day, do I have a suggestion. Why not head to the Olney Theatre Center to see the wonderful musical comedy Triumph of Love. I was hoping that OTC would extend this fun and smart musical but the final performance will be Mother's Day, May 9.

 Center Stage Associate Artist James Magruder back in 1993 translated the 18th century comedy Triumph of Love by Pierre Marivaux.  Three years later Magruder wrote the book to a musical version with music by Jeffrey Stock and lyrics by Susan Birkenhead which premiered at Baltimore's Center Stage . I remember vividly the strong cast that featured Susan Egan, Robert LuPone and Mary Beth Peil (who can be seen on the CBS television show "The Good Wife").

The show which was a co-production with the Yale Repertory Theatre traveled to New Haven  and  would transfer to Broadway in 1997. Egan continued to the Great White Way and added to the cast were F. Murray Abraham and Betty Buckley. After 83 regular performances and 31 preview performances, the show closed on January 4, 1998.

Triumph of Love is an ideal musical for regional theater. It boasts a cast of seven, one set, and a chamber music-size orchestra.

I have to compliment the Olney Theatre Center for presenting this local premiere.

The story is rather simple. A princess in ancient Greece falls in love at first sight with a young man named Agis who is the rightful heir to the throne except for the family of the princess.  Agis, who plans to take back to throne from the princess, has been raised by his philosopher uncle and aunt who have given him a very strict upbringing (with absolutely no females allowed).

The princess Leonide (played by the talented Patricia Hurley) decides to visit Agis (Jake Odmark) in disguise of a male along with her side-kick Corine (hilarious Andea Andert) also in disguise. Remember that name Andert...she is going places!!

The aunt and uncle of Agis are played by two remarkable actors, Helen Hedman (Hesione) and Stephen F. Schmidt (Hermocrates). They work beautifully together.

Rounding out the cast are JJ Kaczynski and Lawrence Redmond who play two comedic roles as a Harlequin (in a Harlequin outfit) and Dimas (the gardener). They'll remind you of Abbott and Costello.

Director Clay Hopper does a masterful job in putting this all together.  His first terrific decision was to put the wonderful chamber orchestra in the back of the stage for all to see. Chris Youstra conducts and is on piano, Mike Ranelli is on percussion, George Hummel on woodwinds, S. Craig Taylor on trumpet, David Blackstone on trombone, and front and center on the harp is Kristen Jepperson. I haven't watched a harp so much since attending an Andreas Vollenweider concert.

Peil Lee does a masterful job with the clever and funny costumes, Nan Flanagan is responsible for the wonderful wigs, Mark Lanks did the effective lighting, Cristina Todesco did the clever scenic design and Christopher Baine did the sound.

You'll love the music which runs from Bach and Mozart to vaudeville to lovely ballads.

You can buy James Magruder's award-winning new book "Sugarless" at the theater. It's a marvelous piece about a young 15 year old who is crazy about Broadway musicals and goes through a tough growing-up experience.

I recommend the Broadway CD.  I wish the OTC had it for sale.

Triumph of Love ends its run May 9. For tickets, call 301-924-3400 or visit www.olneytheatre.org.

For comments, write to cgshubow@broadwayworld.com.
Photos (below) by Charles Shubow

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