Hilarious “Private Lives”

A love-hate relationship–such is the fate of Amanda and Elyot in “Private Lives,” as Cape May Stage presents the classic comedy written by Noel Coward.
The plot centers around a divorced couple, Amanda (Grace Gonglewski) and Elyot (Mark Rector), who happen to meet while they are on honeymoons for their second marriages with their respective spouses Victor (Rob Maitner) and Sybil (Kristin Collins). The fun ensues as the four are found staying at the same hotel in France.
“Don’t quibble, Sybil,” Elyot says, as he wants to leave for Paris immediately, upon discovering that his ex-wife Amanda is at the hotel, while Sybil protests.
Amanda, in another scene announces to Victor, “Elyot’s here.” She also proposes a plan to leave for Paris, which Victor opposes, saying, “If I start giving in to you this early, our lives will be unbearable.”
Amanda and Elyot have a chance meeting again as, in the background, the orchestra is playing “Our Love Is Here to Stay.” With Elyot dryly remarking, “That orchestra has a remarkably small repertoire,” the music causes them to reminisce touchingly and sentimentally, and, as they embrace, they realize that they are still in love and should never have divorced. They decide to leave their new mates and flee to Paris.
It’s not long before Amanda and Elyot, together again, find the same problems surfacing that they faced in their marriage.
Gonglewski and Rector both have great emotional ranges, which easily enable them to portray these problems. They are able to transition quite quickly from very tender moments to moments of violent arguments with rage exhibited in their facial expressions, voices, and mannerisms. They are difficult roles as the move from love to hate is instantaneous, and Gonglewski and Rector perform them perfectly.
There is a tender scene where Rector, revealing his other talents, whistles and plays the ukulele singing, “All my life I’ve been waiting for you.” This, too, proves to be a catalyst, for soon after, their claws come out, and they’re at it again. She breaks a record over his head, and he strikes her, as Gonglewski declares, “This is the end.”
An all-out brawl follows as Sybil and Victor who have tracked them down, enter the room. Collins is hilarious here as she begins doing breathing exercises to calm herself. Maitner, trying to engage Rector in a fight in the same scene, causes an eruption of laughter in the audience with his comical antics. As Gonglewski and Rector continue arguing, Maitner and Collins contribute to the hilarity of the scene with humorous expressions on their faces as they look from side to side at each of the combatants.
At this point, Sybil and Victor begin bickering, and Amanda and Elyot, continue their arguing which leads to an embrace and kiss, and the couple slowly slip out of the room.
Gonglewski, Rector, Collins, and Maitner, all give top-notch performances, exuberant in the portrayal of their characters and complementing each other perfectly.
Rector is returning for his eighth season at Cape May Stage. Gonglewski was awarded the Dorothy Haas Fellowship at the Walnut Street Theater. Maitner won a Bistro Award for his off-Broadway debut in “Fairy Tales,” and Collins spent five seasons with the Orlando Shakespeare Theater.
The costumes, especially the lingerie worn by Gonglewski and the beautiful gowns worn by her and Collins, were especially eye-catching. Attention was given to even the smallest of details, like peacock feathers on their clothes to show the style of the era.
The Robert Shackleton Playhouse itself is a visual treat. Jim Moffatt, Chairman of Project Encore, said that renovations to the theater, both inside and out, have been on-going since 2004. From January to May, new seats in stadium-type seating were installed, floors refinished, walls redone, and new draperies added. The medallion on the ceiling is spectacular!
“Private Lives” runs Tuesdays through Sundays at 8 p.m., until Aug. 16. Call 609-884-1341 for reservations, or visit www.capemaystage.com.