Playwright, novelist and diplomat Jean Giraudoux (1882-1944) was one of the most important men of his generation. Part of his legacy is the satiric The Madwoman of Chaillot, which is being staged by Off the Wall Theater. While set in the crazed, madcap world of Paris’s artistic Chaillot district, the play also makes important points about government corruption, greed and corporate mishandling. In this version by director Dale Gutzman, the play is (on the surface) as crisp and refreshing as a glass of iced tea on a sizzling summer day. Light and breezy describe the attitude of eccentric, middle-aged madwoman (Marilyn White) as she floats into the neighborhood cafe. Actor Marilyn White, an actress of “a certain age,” is an ideal choice for the character of Aurelia, the madwoman. Aurelia prefers to see the world through rose-colored glasses, and she’s also fond of wearing numerous beads of pearls and a Beaux Arts-style lacy pink gown. Achieving beauty and happiness is her goal for the world around her. She’s upset to learn of a plot by an evil foursome to tear up the streets of Paris and construct an oil field (more on this later).
Although this play is set in the 1940s, at a time when Hitler was marching across Europe, Gutzman notes that the current version parallels events that exist “now, before, and the future.” So it’s not surprising that the characters whip out cell phones, etc. However, even without the addition of electronic gadgets, Giradoux’s timeless characters are enchanting. Numerous recognizable “types” flow through the nicely decorated café, including a flower seller (Lori Morse), a gendarme (Mark Ninneman), a mime (Sandy Lewis), a singer (Barbara Zaferos) and a ragman (Michael “Paco” Pocaro). Of special note is an exceptionally patient and accommodating waiter (Lawrence J. Lukasavage).
This makes for a much larger cast than Off the Wall Theatre typically accommodates. But this slice of humanity adds a rich, colorful, humorous and intriguing counterpoint to the dastardly plot being hatched by an evil foursome: a steely-jawed president (Robert Hirschi), a malicious prospector (Jeffrey Grygny), a broker (William Molitor), and a scheming baronness (Sharon Nieman-Koebert). Before they can put their plot into action, the audience is transported to a basement that serves as the location for a Aurelia, the basement’s first occupant, is soon joined by her other “madwomen,” including Constance (Caitlin Kujawski-Compton), Gabrielle (Christine Horgan) and Josephine (Maple Vernear). It is Josephine’s legal background that presses her into service as a judge against the Ragman, who is enlisted to argue the case for the “bad guys.” After much foolishness and fanfare, Josephine finds them all guilty. When the real “criminals” show up at Aurelia’s request, they follow their noses (carrying the scent of crude oil) to an underground chamber from which they will never return. Even the birds seen to rejoice at Aureila’s victory. < P> Milwaukee’s summer brings more than enough pastimes to keep theatergoers busy with other cultural and recreational pursuits, but The Madwoman of Chaillot is worth checking out. It offers a chance to see a rarely produced play that raises questions about current issues, bathed in a lighthearted setting that encourages laughter along with its more serious themes.
a tea party that’s no less whimsical than the one in Alice In Wonderland .
