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Regional Reviews: Phoenix The Cottage Also see Gil's reviews of Dear Evan Hansen, Blues in the Night, Jersey Boys and Anything Goes
Set in a charming English countryside cottage in 1923, the play follows Sylvia as she decides to expose her long-standing affair with her husband's brother Beau, believing that honesty will set them free. However, her grand declaration sets off a chain reaction of surprising revelations, as the lovers' respective spouses, Marjorie and Clarke, arrive, each with secrets of their own. Tensions rise, identities unravel, and unexpected guests, including the fiery Dierdre and her mysterious husband Richard, add to the chaos. Though Sandy Ruskin is an American playwright, this play is a loving homage to the classic English drawing-room comedies and dramas like Noël Coward's Private Lives and Oscar Wilde's An Ideal Husband. It's a comedy of manners with razor sharp comic dialogue of the period but also has a fun, modern sensibility. It's humorous and zany yet also full of heart. The only slight quibble I have with the play is that, while it only runs two hours and the ending works perfectly, the last 15 minutes could be tightened up just a bit. Under Cody Dull's taut direction, the cast deliver performances brimming with charm and energy. At the center of the madness is Sylvia, played with charisma and a delightful self-assuredness by Kathryn Katsikis. Beau, her dashing yet somewhat dimwitted lover, is played with romantic idealism and boldness by Nat Tilden. Melody Startzell's assured portrayal of Marjorie, Beau's supposedly demure wife, is infused with sharp wit, while Thomas F. Graca is hilarious as Clarke, Sylvia's seemingly meek husband. With a fun unpredictable nature, Allison Foulk is excellent as Dierdre, and Hector Coris is a riot as the secretive but lovable Richard. Dull's sharp, fast-paced direction ensures the play's humor never misses a beat, thanks to a cast who create a perfect rhythm with physical comedy, perfectly timed entrances and exits, and pointed dialogue. Rodney Rickard's whimsical, vibrantly colored set and the period-appropriate costumes by Dull and Christian Graca add to the charm, making the entire production a visual delight. With its sharp writing, outstanding performances, and lively direction, The Cottage at Stage Left Productions is a theatrical treat full of humor and a love letter to classic farce. The Cottage runs through March 16, 2025, at Stage Left Productions, 5930 West Greenway Road Suite 1A, Glendale AZ. For tickets and information, please visit www.stageleftaz.com or by calling 623-285-6321 Director: Cody Dull Cast: |
