Date: Fri 25-Oct-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: CAROLK

Illustration: C

Location: A13

Quick Words:

Yale-Rep-First-Lady-theatre

Full Text:

(rev "First Lady" at Yale Rep, 10/25/96)

Theatre Review-

Yale Rep's `First' Is A Winner

(with cut)

By June April

NEW HAVEN - Shortly after a play he had directed opened on Broadway, George S.

Kaufman decided to drop in and see how the audience was responding to his

"creation." Rumor has it partway through the performance Kaufman bolted from

his seat and hastened to a Western Union office to send a telegram to one of

the actors. It seems the thespian had taken it upon himself to modify

Kaufman's directorial guidance, choosing to modify the character as he saw

fit. The telegram Kaufman sent read: "I am watching your performance from the

rear of the house. Wish you were here."

Well, this reviewer hopes many people will hear (and see) the wonderfully

timely production First Lady , at the Yale Repertory Theatre until November 2.

Written in the 1930s, this is a collaborative effort of two people with

journalistic backgrounds, Katherine Dayton and George S. Kaufman. With their

insights into the workings of government, this bright and talented duo came up

with a play that is still very funny and definitely significant.

As it is an election year, this was an astute choice by director Stan

Wojewodski, Jr, for the opening of the 1996-97 season.

A master of one-line zingers, Kaufman was a Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright,

a director, a producer, and occasionally an actor. His influence in all three

capacities was felt in shaping comedy and wit on the stage and in the cinema.

The 17 cast members in Yale Rep's First Lady are all terrific. And it seemed

to this reviewer that there were elements of some prominent "politicos"

captured in their characterizations.

Often dressed in red and a strong force behind her pleasant, but

non-aggressive Secretary of State husband, the character of Lucy Chase Wayne

is charming, shrewd and manipulatively creative as an aspiring presidential

wife. Played by Maureen Anderman with excellent timing and warmth, Lucy Wayne

is truly the embodiment of a woman born to politics.

As Lucy Wayne's potential rival, Irene Hibbard, the wife of an older Supreme

Court Justice, is almost a caricature of the power-hungry newcomer. With a

strong Shakespearian background, actress Cecilia Hart brings a delightfully

comic picture of a bright, self-indulgent, ladder-climbing hopeful.

Flinging some of the pithy one-liners is the southern belle niece of the

Waynes, who is visiting and coyly husband hunting. Emmy drawls that

understanding the difference between senators and butlers is a source of

confusion.

"Butlers don't talk," offers her Aunt Lucy. Kim Wimmer could easily have

overdone the role, but her acting makes Emmy appear as a sweet innocent

straight-man.

In the leading male roles, the multi-talented (singer, actor, writer) Don

Chastain plays Senator Tom Hardwick with great aplomb and humor. Sam Groom, as

the secretary of state and Lucy's sweet but mild-mannered husband, does bear a

certain behavioral resemblance to one R. Reagan. Boisterous as king (or

presidential) maker Ellsworth T. Ganning, John Randolph Jones' rich baritone

tones reverberate through the theatre. But the careful balancing of sound

designer Doug Graves makes those sonorous tones a pleasure to hear.

Ken Parker plays a hilariously funny butler and also a Yes-man to the

newspaper magnate, Ganning. A rather Quail-like young senator was neatly

played by Russ Anderson. A playful pawn between the two potential First Lady

rivals, the handsome Senator Keane ends up with the appropriate catch.

A longtime actor on film and television, George Ede's unforgettably

curmudgeon, but naively good-hearted portrayal of Irene Hibbard's Supreme

Court Justice spouse is a pleasure to watch. What he doesn't say is just as

funny as his actions. And the interplay between he and his wife in the library

scene is one of the funniest in the play.

Yale supporters will recognize Pippa Pearthee's face. As Lucy's personal

secretary she is the equivalent of Ethel to Lucy. In fact, there is something

of that comedic interchange in First Lady.

In a few instances, her too sweet-high voice pierces the eardrum, but Susan

Browning as the "voluminous Luella May Creevey" makes her presence known and

felt, on and off stage. High marks to Herman Shemonsky as the peerless Wayne

butler.

The sets are beautiful, a great plus to the already great lighting and

costumes. And as always, the Yale Rep programs are always enlightening,

entertaining and very well designed.

This is one of the best productions this reviewer has ever seen at Yale

Repertory Theatre since Mr Wojewodski took over from Lloyd Richards. It is

hoped the whole season will be this memorable.

Yale Rep's First Lady is on through November 2. Performances are at 8 pm

Tuesday through Saturday evenings, and at 7 pm on Mondays. There are 2 pm

matinees October 26, 30 and November 2. Tickets are $25-$30 each, and may be

reserved through the Yale Rep box office (432-1234).