Those who know that the names in the title could only be Noel Coward and Gertrude Lawrence will enjoy this bio-revue of sketches and songs by the team that gave New York’s Broadway and London’s West End a touch of class between the 1920s and the 1950s. Those who are encountering the sophisticated elegance of the pair for the first time may find the chronological format a bit confining and the effort by Sheridan Morley to turn a revue into something more than it is a bit exaggerated. Still, everyone will come away having enjoyed some or all of the evening.
Storyline: Noel Coward (1899 – 1973) and Gertrude Lawrence (1898 – 1952) had careers that intersected time and time again as he gained renown as a playwright, composer and actor and she rose to the heights of stardom on the musical and comedy stage. He wrote such classics as Private Lives and Blithe Spirit for himself to star in opposite her. She excelled not only in these, but in non-Coward works such as Lady in the Dark and The King and I.
As Gertie Lawrence, Tracy McMullan is the portrait of sexy elegance that Coward obviously wanted Lawrence to be. For much of the first act she’s a vision in a silver gown designed by Kate Turner-Walker, and that vision could well serve as a symbol for the essence of elegance between World Wars I and II. McMullan is a great deal better singer than Lawrence ever was and she handles the light comedy quite well indeed. It can’t be held against her that she doesn’t have the stage presence of the original – who does?
Carl Randolph brings Noel Coward to life in a fine approximation of his 1930s self. This takes a bit of getting used to for those who know Noel Coward from his television and film appearances dating to the 1950s and 60s. He even affects the hand-in-the-coat-pocket pose that was Coward’s trademark in middle age. He is at his best with Coward’s classic patter song, the admonition “Don’t Put Your Daughter on the Stage, Mrs. Worthington” and acquits himself nicely in the dialogue scenes from both Private Lives and Blithe Spirit.
The show plays out on a slightly re-designed version of the set MetroStage built for the last show, Rough Crossing. Tracie Duncan does a fine job of turning an art deco ocean liner into an art deco stage with the required balconies for scenes from Private Lives.
Devised by Sheridan Morley. Words and Music by Noel Coward. Directed by Nancy Robillard. Music direction and accompaniment by Alfredo Pulupa. Choreography by Stefan Sittig. Design: Tracie Duncan (set) Kate Turner-Walker (costumes) Dayana Yochim (properties) Ayun Fedorcha (lights) Matt Rowe (sound) Christopher O. Banks (photography) Marjie Hashmall (stage manager). Cast: Tracy McMullan, Carl Randolph.
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