BWW Reviews: Lovely PRIVATE LIVES Graces GTC Stage in Burbank

directed by Jules Aaron                                 

 

Table For Two's ensemble is top of the heap, with Von Dohlen and Surdyke deliciously egomaniacal in every way. Elyot, simply put, is the flippant egocentric who must have things as he pleases or not at all. "Some women should be struck regularly like gongs" is one of my favorite lines. Surdyke is also devilishly wicked, completely gorgeous and unreliable as Amanda. Both actors play off each other delightfully with split second timing.  Jeff Witzke as Victor and Annie Abrams as Sybil play wondrously loyal - just the opposite of Elyot and Amanda - and fit the roles divinely. Angie Light is a bit too fast and over-the-top in Act III as Louise the maid. She needs to relish more naturally her short time onstage  Aaron's pacing is up, up, up and bright throughout. The Act II verbal sparring builds to a frenzy, and the ensuing physical fights are staged as deftly as possible in the tight space.

 

JC Gafford has designed an adequate set of the Riviera balconies that convert in Act II to Amanda's flat in Paris. The ugly brown billboards of the flat's walls should be replaced by elegant paintings, sculpture or mirrors. Shon LeBlanc's costumes are to die for. Amanda's blue pjs and Eyot's colorful robe of Act II are in nice contrast to the lovely black and white evening wear of Act I.