Celadine
Since history eludes us more and more, it is a treat to visit a by-gone day to learn that the more people change the more human nature stays the same. Take that pesky sex drive. We may have our Bill Clinton and Tiger Wood, but 17th century England had some gloriously decadent Stuart kings. One of those, Charles II, was known for his extra-marital escapades which included fathering several children by his mistress, the actress Nell Gwynn. In Celadine now onstage at the Colony Theatre in Burbank, Playwright Charles Evered has brought together elements of this time period for a comedy that combines significant figures such as the first female playwright and the infamous Nell Gwynn into the title role of Celadine (played by Giselle Wolf); Charles II (the hilarious Larry Cedar) disguised as the improbable cavalier, Rowley; and an itinerant actor who is really a spy (an energetic Michael A. Newcomer) requisitioning a play from the long written-out Celadine.
Evered sets his characters on a collision course that may make sense within the historical context, but leaves out significant connective tissue that might have enhanced the action. Celadine’s dark secret that has been planted in the first act as the source of her writer’s block gets such short shrift in the last act that it almost seems to be an afterthought to the rest of the play. Still, every act features funny set pieces, the most notable of which has Jeffrey, the mute tailor (Will Barker), mending Celadine’s drawers with her still inside them while Elliott tries to carry on a serious conversation.
Andrew Barnacle’s amiable direction keeps the plates spinning and the cast (which also includes the robust Holly Hawkins as the innkeeper, Mary) whirling through the doors with appropriate, comedic timing. Larry Cedar as the King is always engaging; we sense that Newcomer’s swashbuckling actor in insincere within the context of play, while Barker’s tailor and Hawkins’ innkeeper are underwritten. But despite her best efforts, Giselle Wolf’s Celadine remains an indistinct persona who succumbs to the collective energies of her supporting cast.
The performance, however, is augmented by the Colony’s customary well-rendered production values, from the ersatz Tudor inn designed by Stephen Gifford, to the period costumes by A. Jeffrey Schoenberg, lighting by Luke Moyer and Cricket S. Myers’ subtle sound (including sounds of the unseen carriages that magically appear when needed). Those indispensable properties are by MacAndMe with excellent wigs and hair design by Joni Rudesill.
Celedine continues at the Colony Theatre, 555 North Third St., Burbank, on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm, and Sundays at 2:00 and 7:00 pm through March 7th, 2010. Additional performances Thursday, March 4 at 8pm. (No 7 pm performance on March 7th). Tickets, $37.00 to $42.00. Phone (818) 558-7000 ext. 15 or online at www.colonytheatre.org.