THE HANGOVER REPORT – Red Bull’s THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL is juicy, well-acted fun

28SCHOOLSCANDAL-facebookJumboYesterday, I caught a juicy, highly entertaining production of Richard Brinsley Sheridan’s The School for Scandal at the Lucille Lortel Theatre. This timely revival of Sheridan’s play about moral corruption and the nonexistence of social values beneath the surface of 18th century London society is courtesy of Red Bull Theater, whose dedication to works from this era is invaluable. Director Marc Vietor stages Sheridan’s play with an eye for witty, but never ostentatious, sight gags. Indeed, I commend Mr. Vietor for not taking the easy road by playing the piece purely for gaudy laughs. Instead, there’s real humanity behind his characters’ wheeling and dealing, resulting in rich emotional and comic payoff. This Red Bull production also looks great. Anna Louizos’s scenic design is elegant and efficiently moves the play along from setting to setting. The playfully exaggerated costumes by Andrea Lauer are a delight to look at, as are the expert wig and hair work by Charles G. LaPointe.

The acting here, where it counts, is top-notch. Although some of the younger players seem to be evoking a style of acting as opposed to immersing themselves in the play, the veterans shine considerably. Most notably, the performances from the accomplished quartet of Frances Barber, Dana Ivey, Mark Linn-Baker, and Henry Stram show are inspired. Ms. Barber is delicious as the overtly devious Lady Sneerwell, squeezing every last drop of venom from her scenes. As her fellow, albeit more covert, gossip-monger Lady Candour, Ms. Ivey gives a masterfully droll performance that’s reminiscent of Maggie Smith at her best. As the mature men of the play, Mr. Linn-Baker is spot-on and lovably manic as the cuckold Sir Peter Teazley, and Mr. Stram is giving an endearing, truthful portrayal of Sir Oliver.

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THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL
Off-Broadway, Play
Red Bull Theater at the Lucille Lortel Theatre
2 hours, 20 minutes (with one intermission)
Through May 8

Categories: Off-Broadway, Theater

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