***** Every season, Drury Lane Oakbrook, known for its wonderful musical productions, offers one non-musical production. It seems they feel that since Drury Lane started with plays, and then added musicals, they should give their audiences a little of what they were known. While it may seem an ironic touch, the play they selected for this year’s non-musical is “The Audience” , Peter Morgan’s peek behind closed doors of Buckingham Palace as we see Queen Elizabeth II( Janet Ulrich Brooks, recreates a role that she was “born to play”) as she meets with her assortment of Prime Ministers.
Many of us recall a Timeline Theatre production in which Ms Brooks brought this character to life and in fact was nominated for a Jeff Award. That was a smaller stage, and under the direction of Jessica Fisch, on a set designed by Andrew Boyce, we see that this piece is just as strong as it was back then, so I am anticipating some Jeff Awards heading to Oakbrook this season. The technical aspects of the production are sheer perfection , with amazing costumes (Moria Sine Clinton and Ben Argentina Kress), , props ( Cassy Schillo) and hair/wigs (Erin Kennedy Lunsford) right on. The lighting (Isabella Byrd) and sound ( Lee Kinney) were perfect. I was quite impressed with the work of dialect coach Sammi Grant, who was able to achieve sheer perfection.
The enterouge of performers taking on the roles of the Prime Ministers were top notch. Winston Churchill ( Matt DeCaro recreating his previous role), Gordon Brown ( deftly handled by Raymond Fox),John Major ( the incredible John Judd),Harold Wilson ( played to perfection by Ron E. Rains), Tony Blair/David Cameron ( both handled by Alex Goodrich) Anthony Eden ( Mark Ulrich), and of course, Margaret Thatcher (Susie McMonagle soared in her scene with Brooks). Each one brought something special to the table making these meetings quite interesting and entertaining.
The ensemble that completes the picture painted by Morgan and Fisch is composed of Chris Amos, Brandon Dahlquist, Jurgen Hooper ( who is sort of our narrator/The Equerry),Young Elizabeth ( played by Omi Lichtenstein /tonight’s opening and Elin Joy Seiler on alternate performances), Bill McGough and the ladies: Sarah Chalcroft and Rebekah Ward, who manage to assist Ms Brooks in complete changeovers onstage at an amzing pace- a terrific quick change act.
If you are into the political scene, you will gain a lot of knowledge. If you are one who keeps up with the Royal Family, you will find this a wonderful look as if you were the “fly on the wall” from decade to decade. The clever dialogue between The Queen and her younger self are adorable and the puppy that they bring on stage is fun. Tonight, he got off his leash, but as an actor, realized he had little more to do in this scene, so he recalled that he was to “exit, stage right” and did so!
“The Audience” will continue thru October 20th with performances as follows:
Wednesdays:1:30pmThursdays:1:30pm & 7:30pm
Fridays:7:00pm
Saturdays:3:00pm & 8:00pm
Sundays:2:00pm & 6:00pm
Drury Lane Theatre is located at 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace with plenty of free parking
Show Type: Drama ( with many comic moments)
Box Office: 630-530-0111
To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “The Audience”.
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