“The Little Foxes”

[rating=4]One of our theatrical treasures on the North Shore, Citadel Theatre, in Lake Forest, loves to mix-it-up when they plan their season. They give us an oldie, but goodies, , something new, a musical and all-in-all, a solid variety of theater. They are currently doing Lillian Hellman’s “The Little Foxes” which is the first time Chicago has seen this play in years. In fact, with last year’s revival on Broadway and its amazing Tony nominations (6) and wins (2), this drama that explores the power struggle between family members, in particular, the men and the women is something to be looked at with 2018 eyes.

The story takes place in Alabama, circa 1900. We are in the home of Regina ( an amazing performance by Saren Nofs Snyder) and Horace (deftly handled by Tim Walsh) Giddens. In the opening scene, we meet most of the family members as they hve just completed a meal with their guest William Marshall from Chicago ( Eliott Johnson). Regina and her two brothers, Oscar ( powerful performance by Scott Phelps) and Benjamin ( solidly played by Thom Thomas) are planning to do a partnership with Mr. Marshall that will make a small investment increase for all of them. The brothers are planning to use Horace’s money to make sure they can cover it all as he owns the  local bank.

Regina, is unhappy with the way her brothers are working the deal and taking advantage of her husband, so she has set her mind into action to hold the upper hand on the transaction. We learn thru the first scene that her husband is in town, probably with a tart and Regina is in fact the power of the family. Oscar’s wife Birdie ( Alicia Kahn) we learn is an abused woman who stays with her husband because she has to. They have a son, Leo (Ryan Leonard) who it turns out works for Uncle Horace and wants to become rich by marrying his cousin Alexandra ( the lovely Anna Civik).

Watching the players try to maneuver into top position is part of the wonder of this marvelous piece. Ms  Snyder, is powerful as Regina and  Ms Civik as her daughter equal to the task. In fact, all of the women in this cast, including Terri Lynne Hudson as Addie, the maid, are wonderful. Watch their faces and learn even more than what they are saying.  Kristina McCloskey is a wonderful director who uses the intimate stage at Citadel with just the right touch.  Eric Luchen’s set is one that outdoes what one might expect in a small venue. One of the beautiful thinks about Citadel is that they are very detail orientated and always exceeed the expectations of their audience. The last actor in this ensemble is William Anthony Sebastian Rose II ( his name is longer than his role) adding a light comedy touch to a male servant in 1900. Do the men have the power? Or, in reality, is it the women who will win out in the end?

“The Little Foxes” will ocntinue thru October 28th with performances as follows:

Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.

Fridays  8 p.m.

Saturdays  8 p.m.

Sundays  3 p.m.

Wednesday, October 17th at 1 p.m.

Tickets are $40 -$45 with student and senior discounts. To order yours, call 847-735-8554  ext 1 or visit www.citadeltheatre.org

The running time is  2 hours and 25 minutes with one 15 minute intermission.

The theater is located at 300 S. Waukegan Road in Lake Forest with plenty of free parking.

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “The Little Foxes”