By D. A. Blackburn
People marry for love. They marry for beauty. And they marry for money. Rarely do they wed for all three, but in the Hilberry Theatre's latest offering, "The Beaux' Strategem," two suitors plan precisely this — though their priorities may be slightly out of order.
Jack Archer and Tom Aimwell have squandered their fortunes, and seeking a return to their lives of wealth and privilege, they hatch a deceitful plan: One shall marry for money, and upon receipt of a sizable dowry, will split his ill-gotten gains evenly with his friend. There's just one problem: Even a rake such as these can develop a conscience when faced with true love.
And this is just the story on stage; the play itself has an equally interesting back story. Written in 1707 by George Farquhar, "The Beaux' Stratagem" is a unique work for the time. Historically speaking, it is post-restoration, but thematically, it bears many of the traits of, and feels very much like, a restoration comedy. And still, there's more. In 1939, Thornton Wilder began to adapt the script for a more modern audience, only to abandon the project half-finished. In 2000, this partial effort was discovered, and Ken Ludwig put pen to paper to finish it. This is the version presented at the Hilberry.
History aside, the production is a light and whimsical joy, full of romantic charm and eloquent musings about the nature of male/female relationships. And while the personalities that populate "The Beaux' Stratagem" may seem shallow, the play's characters are anything but.
Former associate director of the Hilberry Anthony B. Schmitt has returned to the company to direct the cast to a fine result. The large ensemble shows an exceptional cohesiveness in the home stretch of the season, and performances are roundly satisfying. Singling out performers for special recognition is simply not possible, but in leading roles Christopher R. Ellis, Jordan Whalen, Christina Flynn, Lorelei Sturm, Sara Hymes and Samantha L. Rosentrater are all superb.
Pegi Marshall-Amundsen's attractive sets, however, are worth note, having earned laughs and won raves from the opening night audience for their clever changes and thoughtful use of the stage. Christa Koerner's costumes, too, show a finely detailed elegance.
In the end, "The Beaux' Stratagem" may be filled with scheming characters, but it's the Hilberry that's made the best calculations, assembling a solid production of a very enjoyable play.
REVIEW:
'The Beaux' Stratagem'
Hilberry Theatre, 4743 Cass Ave., Detroit. Plays in rotating repertory through May 15. $25-$30. 313-577-2972. http://www.wsushows.com
