The Fourth Walsh

Idle Muse Theatre Company presents THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL.

Peter is married to Lady T. Lady T is flirting with Joseph. Joseph is interested in Maria. Maria is crushing on Charles. When Lady S decides to help Joseph get Maria, she starts a smear campaign that Lady T and Charles are getting it on. Meanwhile, Peter is hating being married. Charles is drinking away his money. And Oliver worries his nephews are deadbeat losers. Aristocrats bide their time by spreading rumors, ruining reputations, and lustful debauchery. Playwright Richard B. Sheridan debuted his salacious satire in 1777. A quarter millennial later, Adaptor and Director Evan Jackson gives this comedy of manners a contemporary and clever makeover.

Jackson infuses multiple special touches. Costumes (Designer Victoria Jablonski) and make up (Designer Jacque Biscoff) have a colorful flair. Scenes transition with personality and pop music. And an art sale comes to life with portraits of fun. Jackson’s terrific ensemble is having a good time dissing and partying on stage. It’s impossible not to enjoy their antics and connect to the merriment.

The comedy is ever-present! Elise Soeder (Lady S), Boomer Lusink (Snake) and Eric Duhon (Joseph) start the conspiratorial pot-stirring. Even though they speak with refinement and affectation, the conversations are pure trash-talk. A hilarious Mara Kovacevic (Mrs. Candor) glides in spewing a nonstop stream of flowery judgment. And Elizabeth MacDougald (Mrs. Crabtree) and Cameron Austin Brown (Benjamin) arrive to pile on to the mudslinging. An amusing Brown even stylizes his insults into poetry.

In another house, an exasperated Erik Schnitger (Peter) is trying to reason with his new bride, Cady Gordon (Lady T). Gordon argues her frivolity with twisted reasoning. Sheridan gave Lady T plenty of humorous lines in the play. And Gordon delivers them with wit and spunk.

Although the entire ensemble commits to making fun out of making fun, there is also unexpected and heartfelt sincerity. Schnitger and Gordon share a surprisingly tender moment. An earnest Andrew Bosworth (Rowley)constantly cleans up the messiness. And the dirt on Brian Healy (Charles) as a drunken player isn’t quite right. A gregarious Healy instantly lives up to the hype yet later his caring interactions with Ross Compton (Oliver) contradict his bad rap.

I’m ready to spill the tea! THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL sparkles with vivacious cattiness and high-spirited vigor. The excess is naughty and delicious! Idle Muse cleverly engages with this “Bridgerton meets Gossip Girl” tribute.          

Running Time: Two hours and twenty-five minutes includes an intermission

At The Edge Off-Broadway Theater, 1133 W. Catalpa

Written by Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Adapted and Directed by Evan Jackson

Performances are:

Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays at 8pm

Sundays at 3pm

Thru April 12

For more information or tickets

Production photos by Steven Townshend/Distant Era

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