Captain Jack Absolute (portrayed by Steve Wilson) cleverly charms Mrs. Malaprop (Monique Fowler) into his scheme to win the heart of her niece, Lydia Languish, in The Rivals. Photo © Gerry Goodstein.

It’s Point, Counterpoint in a Comedy That Rocks
Excerpted from the review
By NAOMI SIEGEL

At the Shakespeare Theater of New Jersey, Sheridan’s rib-tickling skewering of romantic love, marriage, class and wealth has an extremely funny Mrs. Malaprop in the person of Monique Fowler. With her deep crimson mouth in a perpetual pout, her supercilious sneer and flirtatious yet imperious flick of the shoulders, Ms. Fowler is a genuine hoot.

She is surrounded by a cast of equally gifted comic actors playing characters whose names suggest some of the fun in store — Sir Anthony Absolute, Miss Lydia Languish, Sir Lucius O’Trigger and the country bumpkin “Fighting Bob” Acres.

Under Matthew Arbour’s stylish direction, and featuring James Wolk’s elegant Palladian settings and Brian Russman’s ruched and corseted period costumes, this is a delightful summer treat.

...Sir Anthony [is] played with verve by Richard Bourg...

[Protagonist] Jack’s loutish friend Acres [is played by] Jeffrey M. Bender in an over-the-top, hilarious romp.

Christian Conn gives a delightfully earnest performance as Faulkland...

James Michael Reilly’s lilting Irish brogue gives the somewhat tedious Sir Lucius his due, and Kristie Dale Sanders makes a suitably duplicitous Lucy, maid to Mrs. Malaprop...

18th Century Farce Remains Timeless

Monday, August 7, 2006

Excerpted from the review

By Peter Filichia

Confident, hilarious and smart.

And those are by no means malapropisms.

Instead, they're the perfect words to describe the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey's production of the play that gave birth to the word "malapropism": "The Rivals."

As Lydia , Kate Dawson has a cultured voice that suggests she was born with a silver spoon in her mouth....

Steve Wilson is an earnest Jack Absolute, whose frustration consistently builds as the play continues...

Monique Fowler makes certain that Mrs. Malaprop has the utmost self-assuredness when making mistake after mistake.

Richard Bourg is nicely doddering as Sir Anthony Absolute.

As Bob Acres, Jeffrey M. Bender makes a crackerjack Cockney, what with his funny smile that accentuates his overbite. He's got a demeanor that ranges from gawky to goofy, very much aided by his maniacal eyes.

Praise is also due Kristie Dale Sanders for the intelligent way she plays Lucy...

The best classics, of course, remain timeless, and "The Rivals" fits that standard. Today, we still have lovers who are jealous, neurotic and ready to kill anyone who stands between them and their beloveds. Back then, men and women weren't likely to show who they really were -- no more than men and women do now. And finally, who'd expect a joke about the national debt in a play that's 231 years old?

"The Rivals"
Excerpted from the review
By ROBERT L. DANIELS
Variety

A superbly elegant ensemble cast is handsomely supported by sumptuous costumes and an elegant set in the Shakespeare Theater of New Jersey's production of "The Rivals." Theater offers a remarkably fresh and illuminating take on Richard Brinsley Sheridan's classic comedy of manners that sparkles with robust humor.

As staged by Matthew Arbour, the action is an unfailing delight, a romp rich in physical detail and amusing characterizations. Never mind that Sheridan's convoluted plot races between the marital designs of two couples, accented by the added intrigue of a meddlesome aunt. The exaggerated characterizations merge into fanciful fun.

The pivotal mistress of intrigue is Mrs. Malaprop, with her masterful talent for murdering the English language. Monique Fowler provides the pretentious character with a comic gloss, delivering vowels that sail and spin as she mangles every sentence. She comes perilously close to stealing the show, prevented only by keen casting that has every character sculpted to perfection.

Sir Anthony Absolute is played by Richard Bourg with a wily, foppish crustiness that defines the cantankerous old codger. Christian Conn as a rattled suitor offers unglued hilarity.

Steve Wilson lends a sturdy turn as the dashing Captain Jack Absolute.

As the over-the-top foppish Fag, Derek Wilson is the very definition of a silly ass. The objects of all the wooing and wily plots are played by Kristie Dale Sanders, Kate Dawson and Mary Bacon with giddy winsomeness and squeaky splendor.

James Wolk's set design imparts fine period flavor to the fashionable city of Bath, with its imposing drawing rooms and stately apartments. The rustling silken costumes by Brian Russman are pure gilded-age Gainsborough.

The aud's hearty laughter is clearly appropriate: Despite the play's nearly three-hour length, there's nary a dull moment.

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Friday, August 11, 2006

Excerpted from the review

By C.W. WALKER

... Matthew Arbour directs the material with a sure hand, and the cast has such fun with it that their high spirits are absolutely infectious. In addition, Brian Russman's sumptuous costumes and James Wolk's peek-a-boo set wrap the entire confection in bright sherbet colors.

Tall, good-looking and eminently reasonable, Steve Wilson makes a great and sympathetic Jack. ...Richard Bourg is hilariously irritable as Sir Anthony and Monique Fowler is wonderfully clueless as the primped and powdered Malaprop...

What is particularly enjoyable about this version of "The Rivals" is the interpretation of the supporting characters, particularly Jack's friend, Faulkland (Christian Conn) and his love match, Lydia's cousin, Julia (Mary Bacon).

As the meddling Sir Lucius O' Trigger, the always-dependable James Michael Reilly doesn't have a lot to do, which is too bad. And I really wanted to see more of Kristie Dale Sanders as Lydia's enterprising maid. On the other hand, as Bob Acres, Lydia's buffoonish and decidedly unsophisticated admirer, Jeffrey M. Bender has certainly found the perfect vehicle for his comic gifts.

For the full review, click here.