Critic at Leisure

A tale for our times ‘The School of Scandal’

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It was a smash hit when Richard Brinkley Sheridan’s “School For Scandal” debuted in 1777, and never has the truism, the more things change, the more they remain relentlessly the same! The above resonated as I thrilled to the delicious lessons currently delivered in two hours of wicked delight at the Lucille Lortel Theatre courtesy of The Red Bull Theater.

It was an instant hit in its wicked comic insights into the scandalous behavior of an” upper class” (or would be!) who amused themselves creating mischievous behavior with the gossip mongers of the time with their self-serving wheeling and dealing. The current timely, delicious ,magical new revival could have been lifted from yesterday’s breaking news on CNN. The latter focused on the newest dueling news of behavior between the current candidates for the presidency of our nation. A prime video clip showed the brand new Republican team of Ted Cruz and John Kasich dining separately with members of their family at a trendy New York restaurant. Followed by their made for scandal opponent Donald Trump chomping away verbally at the formers televised eating habits.

Having just returned blithe with pleasure from the wit of Red Bull’s exquisitely timed revival of Sheridan’s classic foray into the foibles of the rich and would be, if they could get their hands on their parental inheritance from their sires.
And therein lies the tale of a certain upper class segment of society whose members are assaulted by gossip from the mouths of wannabe, vicious young rogues who created false news for both profit, and often equally for the pleasure of scandal-mongering.

Sheridan’s satire concerns a lovely young damsel in love, back-stabbed by gossip mongers from the same or more likely “would be” social strata who devoted their lives to creating tall tales, etched in mischief — to embarrass their would be friends — just for the scandalous pleasure of their daily gossip mongering.

The two innocent daughters of the family scion are victims of one Lady Sneerwell (delicious Frances Barber) a rich widow, the target of slander in her own youth, now devoted to complicating life for all in her path to vengeance. The only one to resist her wiles is Maria, the comely ward of Sir Peter Teazle, but the girls made a bad choice—for her confidant turns out to be one Vicious Lady Candour—whose venom may even challenge Lady Sidwell’s mischief. And “School for Scandal” scores point after point demolishing the mores and manners of the “society of Sheridan’s time—and had my cheeks aching from the hilarity of the playwrights ingenuous insights into human behavior at its worst—further reflecting the current political temper of the breaking news of our time. Sheridan’s wit and wisdom made “School For Scandal a legend in its own time and ever after.

The only problem with “School For Scandal” is its run was far too short, ending May 8, GET there while you can! The entire cast is so “spot on” It would be unfair to single out one above another. And I don’t remember a play that so buoyed my spirits more, knowing civilization has somehow surmounted human foibles down the ages, giving us hope for a miracle resolution to the current back-stabbing by grownups behaving like Lady Teazle and her ilk

Much credit belongs to Marc Vietor’s sparkling spot-on direction, Greg Pliska’s original music and sound design framing the superb cast—and to superb casting choices by Stuart Howard and Paul Hardt.

With “Hamilton” in mind it must be noted George Washington bought 11 tickets for “School of Scandal in 1789—and later saw the play twice more. And that sadly Sheridan died in poverty after refusing to accept a stipend for his efforts to prevent America’s War of Independence. Hopefully there will be another chance to visit “School For Scandal. No play, in any season—deserves a wider audience more! (121 Christopher Street, available tickets at 212-352-3101)

The awards are coming
With the Outer Critics Circle voting ballots due on May 7 and the Drama Desk Awards coming on May 5, now is the time to catch up on the recent spate of new theater and some standouts you might have missed.

Only the Outer critics nominations are out, so make a list of its major nominees, and see the standouts you might have missed. “She Loves Me” and “American Psycho” head the list with eight nominations. The musicals “She Loves Me,” BrightStar,” and “On Your Feet” received seven each. And some of the categories make choosing a near impossible game! “Eclipsed,” The Father,” and “TheHumans” are new dramas now running as are all five nominated new Broadway musicals “American Psycho,” “Bright Star”, “On Your Feet,” “Tuck Everlasting The Musical” and “Waitresses.” Outstanding off-Broadway plays include the wonderful “Hold On To Me Darling,” hopefully headed for Broadway.

And nominated musical revivals find “The Color Purple,” “Dames at Sea,” “Fiddler on the Roof,” “She Loves Me” and Spring Awakening” heading that glorious group
For a complete list of nominated performers, solo performances and special awards visit the Outer Circles Critics online. I can’t reveal my own choices until the awards have been shared with their winners, but so be sure to check for still running shows among the nominees in all categories.

In our times a visit to wonderful theater is a sure tonic for whatever’s on your mind.