The Beaux’ Stratagem is a classic piece of late Restoration comedy written in 1707 which Ken Ludwig had long admired. So when the Estate of Thornton Wilder asked him to complete a modern adaption of it that Wilder had started in 1939 but never finished, Ludwig was thrilled to say yes.
The result is a Beaux’ Strat with classic proportions and modern spunk. With humor and charm, it asks such searching questions as whether a woman of spirit married to a horrid husband can rid herself of the vile fellow; whether it takes some serious sword-fighting to do it; and whether, in the process, she can vanquish the local barman’s handsome daughter and win the heart of the man she loves.
This is the play that gave birth to Goldsmith’s She Stoops to Conquer and Sheridan’s The Rivals – to say nothing Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest - and it’s not to be missed by lovers of the classic English comedy tradition.
Recent News and Reviews
Reviews
“Funny … The production glides confidently from silly to wry, from the pratfall to the riposte … Suave Christopher Innvar and tart Veanne Cox [are] polished comic actors who seem as smart as the words they utter.”
- Peter Marks, The Washington Post
Purdue University.
“Perfectly enchanting … It's quick, funny and still capable of taking a swipe or two at convention. Cox is, not to put too fine a point on it, intoxicating.”
- Trey Graham, Washington City Paper
“Delicious … The incomparable Nancy Robinette plays Lady Bountiful with maniacal glee.”
- Leslie Milk, The Washingtonian
“A delightful romp … A sparklingly funny evening that, under the superb direction of Michael Kahn, plays very well indeed. Innvar is often hilarious.”
- Brad Hathaway, Potomac Stages
“A great cast … One of the best nights you'll spend in the theater.”
- Grace Cavalieri, The Montserrat Review
“Sheer laugh-out-loud fun … Farquhar, Wilder and Ludwig all had such a good time skewering the institution of marriage … that laughter is the only possible reaction. Kahn has put together a superb production.”
- Lucia Anderson, The Free Lance-Star
“Funny is funny! Cox is pure delight. Robinette is exquisite.”
- Margaret Lawrence, Culpeper Star-Exponent
“A sparkling production … The dialogue crackles, the characters engage the audience's interest and sympathy, and the whole thing seems almost effortless.”
- Susan Berlin, TalkinBroadway.com
“Irresistible … A delightful holiday gift.”
- Marilou Donahue, Artistically Speaking
“The Beaux Stratagem's satirical portrayal of marriage and courtship is disarmingly charming and witty. One of Shakespeare Theatre's finest performances to date.”
- Natalie Koss, On Tap
“Laugh-out-loud comedy … In this strong cast, Veanne Cox is a standout.”
- Barbara Greiling, Potomac News
“A romp … with a very funny script and a lively production.”
- David Cannon, Sentinel Newspaper
Original Cast and Creative Team
This adaptation of The Beaux’ Stratagem was first produced by the Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, D.C. (Artistic Director Michael Kahn, Managing Director Nicholas T. Goldsborough) from November 7 to December 31, 2006.
CAST
in order of appearance
Boniface - DREW ESHELMAN; Cherry - COLLEEN DELANY; Daniel - MATTHEW STUCKY; A Lady - DIANE LIGON; Jack Archer - CHRISTOPHER INNVAR; Tom Aimwell - CHRISTIAN CONN; Gloss - RICK FOUCHEUX; Mrs. Kate Sullen - VEANNE COX; Dorinda - JULIA COFFEY; Lady Bountiful - NANCY ROBINETTE; Scrub - HUGH NEES; A Country Woman - ANNE STONE; Sullen - IAN BEDFORD; Servants - MARIA KELLY, DAVID MURGITTROYD; Hounslow - DAN CRANE; Bagshot - NICK VIENNA; Sir Charles Freeman - DANIEL HARRAY; Foigard - FLOYD KING
ARTISTIC TEAM
Director - MICHAEL KAHN; Set Designer - JAMES KRONZER; Costume Designer - ROBERT PERDZIOLA; Lighting Designer - JOEL MORITZ; Sound Designer - MARTIN DESJARDINS; Choreographer - PETER PUCCI; Fight Director - PAUL DENNHARDT; Resident Voice and Text Coach - ELLEN O'BRIEN; Resident Assistant Director - STEPHEN FRIED[ Literary Associate - AKIVA FOX; Directorial Assistant - MERRY ALDERMAN; Resident Production Stage Manager - M. WILLIAM SHINER*; Assistant Stage Manager - CARY LOUISE GILLETT*; Casting - STUART HOWARD, AMY SCHECTER AND PAUL HARDT