MISALLIANCE
By George Bernard Shaw
Directed by Stephen Brown-Fried
Misalliance takes place in a garden room at the estate of undergarment industry leader, John Tarleton (Ames Adamson) and his wife, Mrs. Tarleton (Erika Rolfsrud). Their daughter, Hypatia (Kate Fabel), is to be married to Bentley Summerhays (Matthew Sherbach), a man of small stature and childish behaviors simply because there are no better opportunities and she is undeniably bored with life under the watch of her father. Bentley does not get along with Hypatia's brother, Johnny (Brian Cade), who finds him to be nothing more than a pest. Early on it is revealed that Bentley's father, Lord Summerhays (Jonathan Gillard Daly) had also proposed to her but he was too old for her taste. She thirsts for adventure and revels in the idea of romance, neither of which were viable options. But when a small plane crashes on the sprawling estate grounds, the pilot, Joey Percival (Robbie Simpson) and co-pilot, Lina Szczepanowska (Carolyn Kozlowski) survive and shake up dull estate living and restructure marital cores. Lina attracts the attention of all the men in the room while Hypatia sinks her mischievous talons into Joey at the witness of a young man, Julius Baker (Matt Kleckner), who exposes them for their misconduct.
An elaborate set depicting the estate consists of a well lit conservatory complete with Edwardian tile, large glass panes and hydrangea trees just outside. A small library on a second level, a writing desk and a wooden bar complete the grande, lavish feel of this turn of the century, aristocratic party.
Ames Adamson's (John Tarleton) gave an outstanding performance with a range of emotion that was deeply and strongly felt. Erika Rolfsrud (Mrs. Tarleton) conducted herself as graceful and proper yet robust woman of the times. Jonathan Gillard-Daly (Lord Summerhays) presented a dignified character in keeping with his title as Lord and the rest of the cast was equally extraordinary.
The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey never fails to provide a magical theatre experience.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit http://shakespearenj.org.
Misalliance
August 5–August 30
