Thespian Thoughts – theatre review of Noel Coward’s Private Lives at International City Theatre
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For an evening of laughs head out to Long Beach for the International City Theatre’s entertaining production of Noel Coward’s Private Lives.
Hello and welcome to Thespian Thoughts for theatre reviews. I’m Kristina Nikols with Actors Entertainment.
Last weekend I watched ICT’s production of Noel Coward’s famous play Private Lives. The lighting and sound, set design, costuming, acting, and expert direction by Luke Yankee all flowed together–even the opening general announcement was creative and amusing–it immediately set the tone of the show and transported audience members to 1930’s France to witness the mayhem that unfolds when previously married Elyot and Amanda have a chance encounter while on their respective honeymoons.
Michael Donovan and Peter Matyas cast engaging actors who hit their comedic beats, embraced their roles fully, and were believable as couples. Freddy Douglas amuses as pretty boy Eloit, Caroline Kinsolving moves with poise and grace as Amanda, Jennice Butler plays bubbly blond Sibyl with adorable vulnerability, Adam J. Smith does an excellent job as pompous Victor, and Wendy Cutler gets laughs as Louise, the exasperated French maid.
ICT is located in the Long Beach Convention Center, next to the Aquarium and near many restaurants and bars; theater patrons can easily plan additional activities before or after the show.
I enthusiastically recommend seeing this exquisitely executed, humorous play about love and relationships.
I’m Kristina Nikols with Thespian Thoughts. See you at the theatre!
PRIVATE LIVES
BY NOEL COWARD
DIRECTED BY LUKE YANKEE
CAST
JENNICE BUTLER
WENDY CUTLER
FREDDY DOUGLAS*
CAROLINE KINSOLVING*
ADAM J. SMITH*
PRODUCTION
PRODUCER: CARYN DESAI
DIRECTOR: LUKE YANKEE
SET DESIGN: KURT BOETCHER
LIGHT & SOUND DESIGN: BILL GEORGES
COSTUME DESIGN: KIM DESHAZO
RESIDENT PROPERTY DESIGNERS: PATTY & GORDON BRILES
HAIR & WIG DESIGN: ANTHONY GAGLIARDI
PIANO RECORDING: BRENT SCHINDELE
FIGHT CHOREOGRAPHER: PAUL MASTERSON
PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER: MAYA M. RODGERS*
RESIDENT CASTING DIRECTOR: MICHAEL DONAVAN, CSA
ASSOCIATE CASTING DIRECTOR: PETER MATYAS, CSA
RESIDENT PHOTOGRAPHER: CARLOS DELGADO PHOTOGRAPHY
SET CONSTRUCTION: STUDIO RSD, INC.
TECHNICAL CREW: BERNICE MENDEZ & IVY WILSON
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT: BERNICE MENDEZ
MASTER ELECTRICIAN: JEFF BETTIS
HOUSE MANAGER: SANDY WILLEY
HOUSE STAFF: FANNIE DALY & DORIS DOUGHTY
WHEN
AUGUST 26 – SEPTEMBER 18, 2011
THURSDAYS at 8pm
FRIDAYS at 8pm
SATURDAYS at 8pm
SUNDAYS at 2pm
WHERE
INTERNATIONAL CITY THEATRE
LONG BEACH PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
300 EAST OCEAN BLVD.
LONG BEACH, CA 90802
TICKETS
FRIDAY – SUNDAY: $44
THURSDAYS: $37
WEBSITE & CONTACT
www.InternationalCityTheatre.org
(562) 436-4610
*Members of Actors’ Equity Association
Thespian Thoughts is a show on Actors Entertainment, a site on the Actors Podcast Network,
a Pepper Jay Production.