Courtesy of Carol Rosegg
Hofstra’s performance of “Private Lives” in the Joan and Donald Schaeffer Black Box Theater was one you didn’t want to miss. The 1930s play by Noël Coward has many twists and turns that had viewers on the edges of their seats while also falling out of their chairs from laughter. The storyline focuses on ex-lovers Elyot and Amanda, who, along with each of their new spouses, realize they are next-door neighbors in their honeymoon suites and even share an adjacent balcony. Through this, they journey through learning to cope and get along with one another – to varying degrees of success.
The acting was nothing short of spectacular. Alyssa Palmigiano (Sibyl), Teddy Drummond (Elyot), Raymond Soeun (Victor), Anna Rudegeair (Amanda) and Rebecca Wild (Louise) made up the play’s cast. The fast pace of the production kept the audience on its toes and the cast failed to miss a beat. This had much to do with the artistic guidance from the show’s director, Christopher Dippel.
As they discussed in the talkback, the cast spent the entire first week of the three-week rehearsal process conducting table reads. Because of this, they were able to fully understand not only the storyline and characters, but also the punch lines and moments to emphasize within the show.
Key elements of the acting that made it so great were the accents the actors maintained the entire production, as well as the choreography of the fight scenes they performed. With help from dialect coach Ilona Pierce and movement choreographer Robert Westley, the cast was able to convey a realistic delivery.
Aside from the amazing cast themselves, the design of the show was another star of the night. The stage of the Black Box Theater was lit up with lighting design from Rychard Curtiss and decorated with scenic design from Caitrin Leigh and James P. Hart, Jr. Pei-Chi Su was in charge of costume design.
Each of these elements combined added to the show’s overall ambiance. It was quite clear that much thought was put into the design of the show to resemble its setting: 1930s France.
Though written in the ’30s, this show picked up on some modern-day concerns, one of which being the “role” many women feel the need to play in society. At a certain point in the show, Amanda calls out Elyot for viewing women in a way that is unequal to men. Knowing that this show was developed so long ago but is still so modern regarding controversial topics in today’s society definitely made it interesting and relatable.
Overall, Hofstra’s rendition of “Private Lives” was a job well done by the drama department. The funny, fast-paced production carried themes of love, lust, luxury and laughter. Though a small cast, the production itself carried enough energy and excitement to fill up the entire sold out crowd. “Private Lives” gave its audience an inside look into a twisted tale of two couples crazy in love – or maybe just crazy.
