'World’ a delightful restoration comedy
By: Doug Krentzlin
Special to The Examiner
October 29, 2008
WASHINGTON — Actress Veanne Cox and restoration comedy were made for each other. After making an inspired local debut in the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s production of “The Beaux’ Stratagem” last year, Cox now tops that triumph with her wickedly funny star turn in the Shakespeare Theatre’s current offering, William Congreve’s 1700 comedy “The Way of the World.”
The rest of the cast, which includes some of the area’s most talented players — Nancy Robinette, Floyd King, Andrew Long, Colleen Delany, Julie-Ann Elliott, J. Fred Shiffman and Todd Scofield — aren’t too shabby either (Long makes a wonderfully oily villain in the George Saunders tradition), but when Cox makes her entrance at the half-hour mark, she deliciously dominates the proceedings.
Cox plays Millamant, a wealthy young woman in love with Mirabell (Christopher Innvar), but she is in danger of losing her inheritance if she marries without the consent of her Aunt Wishfort (Robinette), who despises the rakish suitor. Mirabell concocts an elaborate ruse to win Wishfort’s blessing, but the scheme is foiled by Fainell (Long), husband to Wishfort’s daughter (Barbara Garrick) and lover to Marwood (Deanne Lorette), who has his own plan to make off with both his wife’s and her aunt’s fortunes.
Impeccably staged by Michael Kahn, the production has visual panache to spare, from Wilson Chin’s stylized sets to Jane Greenwood’s costumes, which seem to have been inspired by the Emerald City from “The Wizard of Oz” with endless variations on just about every shade of green imaginable.
Restoration comedy is an acquired taste if ever there was one. Devotees can’t get enough, whereas others are left cold by the frivolity of the genre. The Shakespeare Theatre’s “The Way of The World” will delight members of the former group, but is unlikely to convert the latter.
If you go
The Shakespeare Theatre Company’s production of “The Way of the World” runs through Nov. 16
∗ Venue: The Lansburgh Theatre, 450 7th St. NW
∗ Performances: 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Sundays, 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
∗ Tickets: $23.50 to $79.75
∗ More info: 202-547-1122; www.shakespearetheatre.org
