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A Marvelous Party:
The Noel Coward Celebration
Words and music by Noel Coward
Directed by David Ira Goldstein
Choreographed by Patricia Wilcox
Musical Direction by Carl Danielsen
At Northlight Theater at the Center for the Performing Arts
9501 Skokie Blvd. Skokie
Call 847-673-6300, tickets $34-56
Tuesdays through Thursdays at 7:30 PM
Wednesdays at 1 PM
Fridays at 8 PM,
Saturdays at 3 & 8 PM
Sundays at 2:30 & 7 p.m. (Dec 11 and Jan 8 only)
Through January 8, 2006
Review By Beverly Friend
What a high treat! Only two complaints: the celebration ends far too quickly, and the same is true for the play run --closing on January 8. I'm ready to break down and actually purchase tickets to see it again(and again…and again…)
Artistic Director B.J.Jones noted that one of the reasons Northlight was the only theater granted the right to mount a new Noel Coward review (out of hundreds of annual requests) was because of their strong track record of producing world premieres that then continue on to other theaters countrywide. These include "The Last Five Years," "The Good West," "The Gamester," and "Rounding Thief." Unquestionably, the same will be true of this brilliant production.
The material is of course, witty and delightful -- what one expects from an evening with Coward. And with such a prolific author of books, musicals and poetry, there is ample material to choose from. Delightfully, the three member cast -- equally skilled as actors, singers and dancers -- present Coward's words with such charm, such panache and such verve that they dazzle the audience.
Mark Anders and Carl Danielsen might be Coward-clones: witty, urbane, speaking with clipped British accents. Both are also talented pianists, working the two pianos in concord or in juxtaposition, wielding the keys like jousting duelists.
They are joined by multi-faceted Anna Lauris, a charismatic performer who holds the audience spellbound with voice and body whether as a slinky, red-clad chanteuse or as energetic tap dancer, or as cavorting acrobat.
Narration laced with puns and witty remarks, smart, snappy song lyrics and contagious melodies interweave through the familiar and unfamiliar. The 33 songs performed include "London Pride," "What Ho, Mrs. Brisket," "Mrs. Worthington," "Why Do the Wrong People Travel," "Let's Do it," and, of course, the ever delightful, "Mad Dogs and Englishmen."Music provided by Kevin Disch (piano/conductor) John Tuck (bass), Andy Hasenpflug (percussion) and Craig Denny (contractor) swells to fill the room.
High praise to choreographer Patricia Wilcox for the great, highly varied dance numbers, many of which, individually, become show stoppers. The show's title, taken from "I've Been to a Marvelous Party," sung by Anders, says it all:
I went to a marvelous party
With Nounou and Nada and Nell,
It was in the fresh air
And we went as we were
And we stayed as we were
Which was Hell.
Poor Grace started singing at midnight
And didn't stop singing till four;
We knew the excitement was bound to begin
When Laura got blind on Dubonnet and gin
And scratched her veneer with a Cartier pin,
I couldn't have liked it more.
The theater goers couldn't have liked it more, either, as their final--well deserved -- standing ovation showed.
Some Noel Coward Lyrics:
Mrs. Worthington:
Don't put your daughter on the stage, Mrs. Worthington,
Don't put your daughter on the stage,
She's a bit of an ugly duckling
You must honestly confess,
And the width of her seat
Would surely defeat
Her chances of success,
Let’s Do It:
Our famous writers in swarms do it,
Somerset and all the Maughams do it,
Let's do it, let's fall in love.
The Brontes felt that they must do it,
Ernest Hemingway could-just-do it,
Let's do it, let's fall in love.
E. Allan Poe-ho! ho! ho!-did it,
But he did it in verse.
H. Beecher Stowe did it,
But she had to rehearse.
Tennessee Williams self-taught does it,
Kinsey with a deafening report does it.
Let's do it, let's fall in love.
Mad Dogs and Englishmen
Mad dogs and Englishmen
Go out in the midday sun,
The Japanese don't care to.
The Chinese wouldn't dare to,
Hindu's and Argentines sleep firmly from twelve to one.
But Englishmen detest a siesta. . . .
In the Philippines
There are lovely screens
To protect you from the glare.
In the Malay States
There are hats like plates
Which the Britishers won't wear.
At twelve noon
The natives swoon
And no further work is done.
But mad dogs and Englishmen
Go out in the midday sun.
December 10, 2005
Review by Tom Williams
Noel Coward is in good hands with the extremely talented trio of Mark Anders, Carl Danielsen and Anna Lauris. They each exude the urbane sophistication of Noel Coward himself as they deftly capture Coward’s style that defined the word “style” in sleek high culture through impeccable manners, witty repartee and slick satire. These three were impressive as they landed Coward’s song book in a polished, fast moving collection of Coward’s quotes in between delivering a tribute to Coward’s impressive musical talents.
From cute musical hall ditties to stirring ballads from patriotic songs to slick Broadway tunes, Coward’s immense talent and urbane polish is present in these three fabulous entertainers. They sing divinely, spout excellent high British accents and dance deftly as they land the subtle nuances of Coward’s sting wit.
Carl Danielsen, Mark Anders and Anna Lauris are at home with the material (they each contributed creatively to the show). You’d be hard pressed to see a better designed, finer sung revue than A Marvelous Party: The Noel Coward Celebration.
This is tremendous entertainment. Come taste the world of Noel Coward, it’ll leave you sharply satisfied. He redefined style and this gem gives us a sampler of true style. Coward would be in his glory with this show.
Highly Recommended
Tom Williams
Chicago Stage Talk Radio Show
This show eligible for a C.S.T. Equity Theatre Award
December 11, 2005
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