THE BEAUX' STRATAGEM
by George Farquhar adapted by Thornton Wilder & Ken Ludwig
directed by GEOFFREY KERSHNER
PERFORMANCE DATES
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After squandering their fortunes on drink and gambling, Tom Aimwell and Jack Archer seek refuge in the countryside. They hope to seduce two ladies of status and fortune, but true love and a band of thieves soon complicate their scheming. For more than a century, The Beaux' Stratagem, written in 1707 by George Farquhar, was one of the most frequently performed English comedies, enjoying constant revivals. Recently rediscovered, this classic boasts an adaptation begun by Thornton Wilder and completed 65 years later by Tony Award-nominated playwright Ken Ludwig. (Rated G) |
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| Photos by LAURA EVANS | |||
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| Mark Wright | as | Boniface, landlord of an inn
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| Alexis Robbins | as | Cherry, the landlord's daughter
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| Calor Ventro | as | Daniel, the landlord's son
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| Jessica Palombo | as | Lady Wither, set upon by robbers and disconcerted by it
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| Ryan Feyk | as | Jack Archer, a gentleman of broken fortune, acting as a servant
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| Joe Walz | as | Tom Aimwell, a gentleman of broken fortune, acting as his master
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| Geoffrey King | as | Gloss, a man of two professions,
highwayman and minister
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| Tracy Olin | as | Mrs. Kate Sullen, Lady Bountiful's daughter-in-law
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| Sommer Farhat | as | Dorinda, Lady Bountiful's daughter
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| Sandy Spurney | as | Lady Bountiful, a country gentlewoman, foolishly fond of her son
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| jAMES bENnET | as | Scrub, servant to Sullen
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| eRIN mAH | as | A Country Woman, seeking medical advice
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| bRAD tROWBRIDGE | as | Sullen, Lady Bountiful's son, brutal to his wife
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| sHANNON pADGETT | as | Gipsy, serving in the Sullen Household
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| fRED gATLIN | as | Hounslow, a highwayman
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| Zdravko Rozic | as | Bagshot, a highwayman
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| rOBERT tHAMES | as | Sir Charles Freeman, Mrs. Sullen's brother
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| aNDREW dICKSON | as | Foigard, a French parson anxious to perform a wedding |
James Bennett (Scrub) is excited to make his Theatre Jax debut surrounded by such a talented cast and crew. His favorite roles thus far are Henry Clerval from Frankenstein and Sergeant Toomey from Biloxi Blues, both performed at the Limelight Theatre. "I'd like to thank Geoffrey for this opportunity, my friends for their support, and especially my wife Amy."
Andrew Dickson (Foigard) attended Oberlin College in Ohio, interned in dramaturgy at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, and trained in acting with Jacques Lecoq and Philippe Gaulier in Paris. He has taught English at The Bolles School since 1998, where he also taught and directed theater for eight years, and received grants for study abroad in London and Greece. After directing Dearly Departed at Theater Jax last season, he is delighted to take a turn performing. He'd like to thank Sarah Boone and Geoffrey Kershner for their encouragement and guidance, and his family, Anna and Atticus, for their love and support.
Sommer Farhat (Dorinda) is a 4th grade teacher at Mandarin Oaks Elementary School. She also teaches Drama to children through her school's Community Education program. She has also taught a youth's theatre summer camp at Orange Park Community Theatre last year. She has been seen in many Murder Mystery Shows at Dave and Busters and is excited, after a long break, to be back on the stage! This is her first time working with Theatre Jacksonville and could not be more thrilled with her experience! She would like to thank her family and friends for always supporting her passion for acting.
Ryan Feyk (Jack Archer) is an alumnus of the FSU School of Theatre, where he appeared in nearly a dozen productions, including Our Country's Good (Ralph), Love! Valour! Compassion! (Perry), and Sexual Perversity in Chicago (Danny). Currently living in New York City, Ryan has since appeared in the American Theater of Actors' production of The Credeaux Canvas (Jamie). He primarily performs sketch and improv comedy, and his troupe, "Totally Awesome Victory" has appeared at such acclaimed venues as the Broadway Comedy Club, the Peoples' Improv Theater, and the legendary Laugh Factory in Times Square, as well as the Laugh Factory in Hollywood, California.
Fred Gatlin (Hounslow) Fred is pleased to make his second appearance at Theatre Jacksonville. He portrayed Bud and Norval in the recent TJAX production of Dearly Departed. Fred takes great pride in making each character his own. He recently played Wilson the handyman in the Orange Park Community Theater production of Whose Wives Are They Anyway? He has performed in many comedy murder mystery plays at various locations in Jacksonville such as Dave & Busters and Professor Plum's. His characterizations range from Scrooge to Tony Falsetto (a well-known Mafioso). Fred loves to laugh, and is especially delighted if he can inspire others to laugh. He is frequently in demand as a motivational speaker using a humorous twist. A true renaissance man, his interest ranges include acting, taking lessons to play classical guitar music, preparing and enjoying good food and libations, and participation in competitive pistol matches.
Geoffrey King (Gloss) This is Geoffrey's fourth time on the Theatre Jax stage. His previous roles here have been as, Bob in Pack of Lies, Bottom in A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Randolph in Moon Over the Brewery for each of which he has received best actor/supporting actor nominations. He remains shamefacedly, however, 3 and 0 in conversions! His most recent stage appearance elsewhere was as Able in Sly Fox, for ACT and he will direct that company's upcoming production of Coming Apart in the late Fall of this year. He would like to express his gratitude to you, for supporting live theatre; to Tony Blair for helping to drive him out of Britain and thus to North-East Florida; to those who have had the patience to work with him...and to "Sharon" for bringing a brighter future.
Erin Mah (Country Woman) is a Jacksonville resident and a newcomer to Theatre Jacksonville. She received her undergraduate degree from UF and her graduate degree from UNF. Although she hasn't acted in a production since her high school days, Erin works with young performers as the drama instructor and Thespian Society sponsor at Bishop Kenny High School. She is married to Tony and they have two wonderful children.
Tracy Olin (Mrs. Kate Sullen) is thrilled to be returning once more to the Theatre Jacksonville stage. Favorite roles include the incomparable Sally Bowles in Cabaret, Meg in Leading Ladies, Queen Aggravain in Once Upon a Mattress, Erica in SubUrbia, Witch 2 in Macbeth, and Angel in Best Little Whorehouse in Texas all of which won her best actress/supporting actress awards. When not on stage she can be found in the box office making your ticket reservations. Special thanks to this cast and crew for making this such an enjoyable experience, Geoff for his patience and wonderful direction, and to her husband Sean for his continued love and support.
Shannon Padgett (Gipsy) is an attorney in Jacksonville - a native of the Jax area (grew up in Orange Park) who became a certified thespian in high school. She was involved in many different theater productions during high school and college. This is Shannon's first show with Theatre Jax. She loves it and is glad she did!
Jessica Palombo (Lady Wither) last appeared on the Theatre Jacksonville stage as the make-up artist in The Ruby Sunrise and before that as a Joy of Life Singer in Dearly Departed. You may also remember her favorite TJ role of Rose Weiss in A Shayna Maidel. Last month, Jessica played four roles in Players by the Sea's night of one-acts, Home on Deranged. She also played in several Orange Park Community Theatre shows, including A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Philia) and The Fantasticks (The Mute). And she performed with the Jacksonville Murder Mystery Players in A Friendly Game of Death (Detective Chris Carlson) and Rodger and Rita's Comedy Wedding (Rita). Jessica is happy to appear alongside her real-life beau, Joseph Walz.
Alexis Robbins (Cherry) graduated from D.A.S.O.T.A. with whom she traveled to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and appeared as Wiley in Wiley and the Harryman. She received her BFA in Acting and Directing from Boston University's theatre conservatory. She went on to study and perform improv/ sketch comedy at Boston's Improv Asylum, then TV/film at TVI Actors Studio in NYC. Some favorite credits include: A Midsummer Night's Dream (Puck), Enchanted April (Lotty), The Night of the Iguana (Charlotte), The Rimers of Eldridge (Eva), Once in a Lifetime (Miss Leighton), Proof (Claire), Dancing at Lughnasa (Rose), The Imaginary Invalid (Louisa), Marat/Sade. Thank you: family, friends, and Danielle for continuous love & support; & her sister, Amanda, for proving that beauty, strength, and genuine goodness still exist in this world. Thanks to Geoff for this awesome opportunity. She couldn't have asked for a better show or more enjoyable role at any other time. It's been perfect.
Zdravko Rozic (Bagshot) is a former FCCJ Theatre Talent Grant student. He has been acting since 2005 and is making his Theatre Jacksonville debut. Some of the roles he has portrayed are Ernie in It's A Wonderful Life, Officer in The Root of Chaos, Major Freddie in Good. Zdravko would like to thank his parents, Milica and Zvonko and his girlfriend, Ashley for their support, the entire cast and crew of The Beaux' Stratagem for the great work and friendship, and Geoffrey Kershner for the opportunity and guidance.
Sandy Spurney (Lady Bountiful) This marks Sandy's 10th year of performing at Theatre Jax. She is grateful and appreciative for all opportunities and welcomes the challenge of this year's Lady Bountiful. Among the many characters she has portrayed, her other classic roles include the Nurse in Romeo and Juliet (Best Supporting Actress), Olivia in Twelfth Night, Lucetia in Two Gentlemen of Verona, Witch 1 in Macbeth (Best Supporting Actress), and Leonata in Much Ado About Nothing (Best Supporting Actress). A BFA graduate from J.U., Sandy finished her theatre studies at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in NYC. Other hobbies include swimming, yoga, and taking care of her kitty friend Hurricane Clyde O'Spurney. Thanks to Geoff for believing, the cast and crew for always laughing, and Nemours Children's Clinic for support.
Robert Thames (Sir Charles Freeman) Robert is excited to be right back on stage at Theatre Jacksonville since recently appearing in The Absence of a Cello as Perry. Previous roles were Captain Sparks in The General(ABET), Ito in Auntie Mame at (PBTS), Over leader Eichmann in Good (FCCJ Drama Works), the cop and minister in The Elephant Man one act play (FCCJ Drama Works) . He's enjoyed getting to know this large Beaux' Stratagem cast not to mention wearing his first pair of women's shoes (please!) and working with and talking college football with director Geoff Kershner. Special thanks to Tracy Olin on her wonderful job of costuming this show! (she's costuming Sweeney Todd at PBTS at the same time, go see that too) We sincerely hope you enjoy our little late restoration comedy tale.
Brad Trowbridge (Sullen) is thrilled to back on the Theatre Jacksonville stage after an absence of 18 months. Brad is well known to TJ's audiences through his work over nearly 20 years. His work with Theatre Jacksonville include: 8 Shakespeare-at-the-Met productions, Bedroom Farce, It's only a Play, The House of Blue Leaves (Best Actor Award), A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Noises Off, Once Upon a Mattress (Best Supporting Actor), and The Boys Nest Door (Best Supporting Actor). His most recent work with Theatre Jacksonville was Leading Ladies (Best Supporting Actor). "Thanks to the Theatre Jacksonville staff for letting me come and play again!"
Caylor Ventro (Daniel) is debuting as Daniel at Theatre Jax in their production of The Beaux' Stratagem. He is a sophomore at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts and is enjoying his career as a Theatre Performance Major there. Caylor has previously been in such roles as: a bush, a tree, a brother duck, a legal bill, Jojo in Seussical the Musical, Kurt in The Sound of Music, Louis in The King and I, and Scott in Dear Edwina. His first experience at Theatre Jax has been amazing, and he hopes you will enjoy the show.
Joseph Walz (Tom Aimwell) is excited to be back on stage at Theatre Jacksonville! You may remember him from last season in The Ruby Sunrise (Henry/Paul) and Dearly Departed (Clyde/Choir). Recently, he was at the Limelight Theatre in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (Nick) and Players by the Sea in It's a Wonderful Life (George Bailey). Joseph has also starred in numerous productions at the Orange Park Community Theatre including R&H's Cinderella (Prince), State Fair (Pat Gilbert), The Fantasticks (Hucklebee), A Funny Thing . . . Forum (Pseudolus), Monky Business (Brother Forte), and Gypsy (Tulsa). Joseph was recently sworn in as a member of the Florida Bar after graduating from UF Law School. He would like to thank Jeff for letting him be a part of this excellent production, the cast for sharing their experience and talent, his family for their love and support, and Jessica for being terrific.
Mark S. Wright (Boniface) Mark is making his eighth appearance at Theatre Jacksonville, including shows such as Over The River and Through the Woods, All My Sons, An Inspector Calls, Spinning Into Butter, A Few Good Men, and Saving Grace. Mark has also appeared in several productions at Players-By-The-Sea, most recently in Painting Churches. In all, he has performed in more than twenty-five stage productions. Mark is a veteran of the United States Air Force. He earned a B.A. in Broadcast Communications from San Francisco State University and spent nearly fifteen years in television news. He is currently a Communications Consultant with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida in Jacksonville. Mark is married to the beautiful and talented Cheryl Munn Wright, whose patience and understanding enable him to participate in these productions.
This Adaptation
Ken Ludwig | Thornton Wilder | George Farquhar
Restoration Comedy | First Actresses
Restoration Spectacular | Sword Play
THIS ADAPTATION
This adaptation of The Beaux' Stratagem is the result of 300 years of work. It began when the actor Robert Wilks convinced his dying friend George Farquhar to write one last play, in 1706; it continued when the producer Cheryl Crawford convinced Thornton Wilder to adapt Farquhar's play in 1939; and it finished when Wilder's nephew Tappan Wilder asked Ken Ludwig to complete the adaptation in 2004.
When Thornton Wilder began his work on The Beaux' Stratagem he set out to make Farquhar's play more accessible for American audiences. He accomplished this by cutting or expanding Farquhar's text and characters. Unfortunately Thornton Wilder did not complete his work before his death in 1975. Lucky for us, in the last few years the work has continued. Ken Ludwig, after meeting Tappan Wilder, picked up where Thornton Wilder left off. He completed the writing and created a wonderful and full adaptation. This new version of the play found its premier at the Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, DC in 2006.
KEN LUDWIG
Ken Ludwig has had a number of hits on Broadway, in London and throughout the world. He has won the coveted Laurence Olivier Award, London's highest theatre honor, in addition to two Tony Award nominations and two Helen Hayes Awards. His work has been performed in over 30 countries in at least 20 languages.
His best-known play is Lend Me A Tenor, which won two Tony Awards and the Olivier Award nomination for Best Play and was produced in London and New York by Andrew Lloyd Webber.
The New York Times recently called it "one of the two great farces by a living writer." This was followed by the musical Crazy For You, which won the Tony and Olivier Awards for Best Musical. His next Broadway play was Moon Over Buffalo, which marked Carol Burnett's return to Broadway after 30 years, then starred Lynn Redgrave and Robert Goulet on Broadway and was followed by a London production starring Joan Collins and Frank Langella at the legendary Old Vic. His next Broadway play was Twentieth Century starring Alec Baldwin and Anne Heche. This was followed by the Broadway musical The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Ken's proudest accomplishment was being commissioned by England's Royal Shakespeare Company, for which he wrote the comedy Shakespeare In Hollywood which went on to win the Helen Hayes Award as Best New Play of the Year.
His latest plays include Leading Ladies (which he also directed); Be My Baby with Hal Holbrook and Dixie Carter; an adaptation of The Three Musketeers which was commissioned by Bristol Old Vic. His newest musical, An American in Paris, opened in the spring of 2008 at the Alley Theatre in Houston, Texas. He is currently writing a movie for The Walt Disney Studio.
He is an Associate Artist of the Alley Theatre. He studied music at Harvard with Leonard Bernstein and theatre history at Cambridge University in England.
THORNTON WILDER
(April 17, 1897 - December 7, 1975)
In 1926, Wilder wrote his first novel The Cabala and in 1928 he won his first Pulitzer Prize for The Bridge of San Luis Rey. He received his second for his drama Our Town in 1938 and his third in 1942 for The Skin of Our Teeth. During World War II he rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel, serving in the army. During his life, Wilder taught at the University of Chicago, the University of Hawaii, and taught poetry at Harvard. He always considered himself a teacher first and a writer second. He also received the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade in 1957, the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1963 and in 1967 he won the National Book Award for his novel The Eighth Day.
George Farquhar
(1677 or 1678 - April 29, 1707)
Born in Derry in Northern Ireland, Farquhar entered Trinity College, Dublin at age 17 and may have set out with the intention of following in his father's profession by becoming a clergyman, but after two years he left school to become an actor. It is reported that he was "unhappy and rebellious as a student".
Probably through his friendship with well-known actor Robert Wilks, Farquhar joined a stage company performing in Dublin. However, he struggled as an actor and eventually transitioned into a writing career and moved to London where theatre was thriving in the new Restoration era. Farquhar's first comedy, Love and a Bottle, premiered in 1698 and was very well received by audiences due to Farquhar's success with the character types and situations that were hallmarks of the Restoration comedy form. In 1700, Farquhar found even bigger success with his comedy The Constant Couple which was performed at Drury Lane in London. The following year Farquhar wrote a sequel, Sir Harry Wildair. Then in 1702 he wrote both The Inconstant, or the Way to Win Him and The Twin Rivals.
Early in 1707 Farquhar fell ill. His friend, actor Robert Wilks visited him and Wilks is said to have "cheered him with a substantial present, and urged him to write another comedy." This comedy, The Beaux' Stratagem, premiered on March 8, 1707. Farquhar said of the play:
"The reader may find some faults in this play, which my illness prevented the amending of; but there is great amends made in the representation, which cannot be match'd, no more than the friendly and indefatigable care of Mr. Wilks, to whom I chiefly owe the success of the play."
Farquhar passed way on April 29, 1707, about two months after the opening of The Beaux' Stratagem.
Restoration Comedy
English comedies that were performed and written from 1660 to 1710 were known as "Restoration Comedies." Prior to the Restoration period, public English stage performances had been banned for 18 years by a Puritan regime, led by Oliver Cromwell. When theaters re-opened in 1660, it signaled a rebirth of English drama. The theatre that emerged from the weight of censorship was bold and expressive. Restoration comedy was known for its sexual explicitness, something encouraged by Charles II (1660-1685) and his court. The frequently cynical approach to marriage and sexual infidelity in Restoration comedy invited accusations of immorality, but was enjoyed by many none the less. Major plays of the time included George Etheredge's The Man of Mode (1676), William Wycherley's The Country Wife (1675), and William Congreve's The Way of the World (1700).
This theatre was viewed by a portion of English society that included aristocrats, their servants and hangers-on, and a substantial middle-class segment. These playgoers got to witness up-to-the-minute topical writing, active plots, and the introduction of the first professional actresses as well as the first female professional playwright, Aphra Behn. Prior to the Restoration, women were not allowed on the English stage. These new actresses became major public figures. The famous actress of the time, Nell Gwyn was also the mistress of the King of England, Charles II.
The First Actresses
The first actress to appear on the London stage had a huge influence on Restoration comedy. Before theatres were closed, all female roles were portrayed by boys. In the 1660s and 1670s audiences were primarily male and were delighted at the novelty of seeing real women engage in dramatic action. Although many comedy scenes were geared towards a male audience Restoration actresses were, just like their male counterparts, expected to adapt to all kinds and moods of plays. A new kind of role for women was introduced during this period and was known as the breeches role, which called for an actress to appear in men's clothing (breeches were tight-fitting knee-length pants that men of the time wore), for example a plot may include a witty heroine who disguises herself as a boy to hide, or to engage in escapades disallowed to women.
The Restoration Spectacular
The "machine play" or the Restoration spectacular became an element of the London stage in the late 17th-century. This form thrilled audiences with music, action, dance, moveable scenery, baroque illusionistic painting, gorgeous costumes, and special effects such as "flying" actors, trapdoor tricks, and fireworks. These shows were often considered superficial by fans of Restoration drama, but audiences flocked to this popular form in droves.
The Music, Literature, and Art of the Time:
The diary of Samuel Pepys is a major resource in understanding the culture of the Restoration. His detailed private diary provides a combination of personal revelations on arts, culture and eyewitness accounts of great events, such as the Great Plague of London, the Second Dutch War and the Great Fire of London.
Music:
Pepys was a music lover, an amateur composer and a collector of instruments and he provided a rich account of domestic music in the Restoration period. The music was heavily influenced by the theatre of time and much of the music was written specifically for the theatre. Other popular forms were church music and festive odes.
Literature:
The Restoration was an age driven by poetry. Poetry the most popular form of literature and affected political events and immediately reflected the times. Through the period, the lyric, ariel, historical, and epic poem were developed.
Art:
When Charles II returned to the throne a period of great opulence in English art, architecture and design began. Charles II and his followers had spent their years of exile in France and The Netherlands. When they returned they brought with them the latest European styles. Foreign-trained artists and craftspeople began working in England and embraced flamboyant forms and rich materials. In Europe, the Baroque style of art coincided with the Restoration period. The work of the period was exemplified by drama and grandeur. Baroque architecture and art worked to evoke awe in the viewer through an abundant amount of detail and bright colors.
Charles II of England
Sword Play
During the time of the play (1707), the sword was in transition from the "rapier" to the French influenced "smallsword." The rapier differed from earlier swords in that it was not for military use but was primarily for civilian use. You will see that many of the male characters in The Beaux' Stratagem are caring swords during the action of the play. During the 17th and 18th centuries, the shorter smallsword became an essential fashion accessory in European countries and military men and many wealthy men carried one and these swords. Both the rapier and smallsword remained popular through the 18th century. The smallsword fighting style later evolved into what we see in modern contemporary fencing. When watching fencing in the Olympics this summer, you would have seen a sword style that is focused on "thrusting" as opposed to "cutting." The source of this style stems from the weapons of the 17th and 18th century.
You will also notice that there are two guns used in this production. During this time period, the gun was beginning to take prominence in military combat. Towards the end of its useful life, the sword served mainly as a weapon of self-defense for civilians. The gun was far more effective for warfare. As handguns became more reliable the sword began to lose its preeminence in the early 19th century. Eventually the sword was completely replaced by the personal firearm.
