By Christina Perryman
Noël Coward is known for writing witty plays that capture the often-ridiculous human nature. “Hay Fever,” written in 1924, is no exception. Excellently directed by Bill Van Horn, audiences can catch the show at Walnut Street Theatre through March 9.
Brandon O’Rourke, Jared Calhoun, Ellie Mooney, Harry Smith, Alicia Roper, Patricia Noonan, Peter Herrick and Anna Bailey in Noël Coward’s “Hay Fever”. Photo by Mark Garvin.
Walnut’s cast features many fan favorites, a stunning, elegant and classy set by Roman Tatarowicz, and terrific costumes by Mary Folino. The comedy gives viewers a glimpse into the lives of the wealthy, talented and riotously self-absorbed Bliss family. Patriarch David (perfectly played by Peter Herrick), a novelist desperately trying to finish his latest work, matriarch Judith (dramatically, and hilariously played by Alicia Roper), artistic son Simon (wonderful work by Brandon O’Rourke) and socialite daughter Sorel (well-acted by Anna Bailey) are enjoying a sojourn in the country when Judith makes a grand announcement.
After a year long retirement, Judith, a retired actor will be rejoining the stage. As a prelude to her grand return, she has invited a superfan, Sandy Tyrell (the ever impressive Jared Calhoun) to the estate for the weekend. Much to Judith’s dismay, both Simon and Sorel have also invited “friends” for the weekend. Simon’s potential amour, Myra Arundel (excellently portrayed by Patricia Noonan), and Sorel’s newest interest, Richard Greatham (nicely done by Harry Smith), are due to arrive any minute. To top it off, David descends from his writing sequester to inform his shocked family that he, too, has invited someone for the weekend, a flapper named Jackie (a very funny Ellie Mooney).
Once the guests arrive, thing get awkward very quickly. Sandy is shocked to learn Judith is married. Both Judith and Simon ignore Richard and Jackie, and Myra spends part of the scene trying to escape Simon’s ardor before turning her attentions to David. Add in an indifferent maid, Clara (expressively played by Charlotte Northeast), and things also get funny fast. The action, however, reaches it’s peak in the second act where the comedy of errors comes into play and the unsuspecting guests realize how truly self-centered and blissfully unaware the Blisses truly are.
Walnut’s delightful cast plays well off each other. While the third act (the funniest in my opinion) allows the entire cast to shine, the two standouts earlier in the play, for me, were Roper and Mooney. Roper’s over the top theatrics were spot on for a once famous, now older and slightly forgotten actress. Mooney’s clueless Jackie was entertaining and comical and her timing was seamless.
The faux thunderstorm, which combined lighting by Tess James and sound by Christopher Colucci, was realistic.
If You Go
“Hay Fever” runs at Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, through March 9. Showtimes are 2 p.m. March 5, 6, 8 and 9, 7:30 p.m. March 5 and 6, and 8 p.m., March 8. Tickets are $25 to $97. For tickets or information, walnutstreethreatre.org or call 215-574-3550, or visit Ticketmaster.