By TR Robertson
Love is all around you in all the wrong, very humorous and mixed-up places now on stage at North Coast Rep’s West Coast Premiere with the production of Sandy Rustin’s “The Cottage”. Set in the English Countryside of 1923, Rustin’s play takes on a classic British style sex romp farce with twists and turns popping up throughout the comedy. Music from the 20’s sets the mood for the play as you enter and see a wonderfully designed English cottage set by Sean Fanning, filled with interesting bric-a-brac and funny cigarette holders and lighter props that will casually appear during the comedy, courtesy of Zachary Elliott. The audience is taken for 2 hours into an almost BritBox style production starring “take charge” women, for the most part, and emotionally lost men. The North Coast Rep comedy is directed by the talented actor, director, and educator Shana Wride, recently directing “What the Constitution Means to Me”. “The Cottage” opened on Broadway at the Hayes Theater in 2023.
“The Cottage” touches on attitudes toward sex, betrayal, jealousy, commitment, relationships, marriage and of course – Love, all with wonderfully comedic results. If this isn’t enough there is even a moment of loss and inheritance issues thrown in. This is all accomplished with an outstanding cast of five North Coast Rep veteran performers and one performer making her NC Rep debut. All cast members have spot-on upper-class British accents and one with a more “street class” tone, all compliments of dialect coach Emmelyn Thayer.
Katie Karel plays Sylvia, who is meeting Beau, played by Taubert Nadalini, for their annual once a year weekend tryst. Sylvia is married to Clarke, played by Jacob Caltrider, who happens to be Beau’s brother. Beau is married to Marjorie, played by Lauren Weinberg, who happens to be having an affair with Clarke. Got all that? By the way, Marjorie is pregnant. Want to guess who the father is? If that’s not enough we will later meet Dierdre, played by Abby Leigh Huffstetler, making her NC Rep debut. Dierdre is also involved with Beau. Even later we will meet Richard, played by Josh Cahn, who is married to Dierdre. All involved will arrive at the cottage, a get-away home owned by Beau and Clarke’s mother, who is ill and living in London. Needless to say, all of this will unfold in hilarious fashion, with even funnier discussions about all of those attitudes previously mentioned. NC Rep has perfectly cast this group of performers from the refined, snooty, emotionally challenged Beau and Clarke, to the sexy, uppity Sylvia and Marjorie to the ditsy Dierdre and the bewildered Richard. It is the women of this play, at least for the most part Sylvia and Marjorie, who take charge, confront the issues, and resolve the issues in the end. Even Dierdre finally makes a life-changing decision by the final moment of the comedy.
The other members of the Creative & Design Team include Stage Manager Christopher M. Williams, Light Designer Matthew Novotny, Costume Designer Shirley Pierson (wardrobes are a perfect 20’s collection), Sound Designer Melanie Chen Cole, Hair & Wig Designer Peter Herman (also classic 20’s appearance), and Production Assistant Jay Brace
This is a fun and extremely enjoyable 2 hours and certainly worth the time spent getting away from the endless barrage of political commercials on T.V. Even after the elections this is a great way to
enjoy an evening or afternoon, watch a fast paced, witty and very funny look at the most basic of human emotions.
“The Cottage” will be on stage at NC Rep through November 22nd. Tickets are available at 858-481-1055 or at at www.northcoastrep.org Next up at NC Rep will be “How to Write a Holiday” by Rachael VanWormer & Omri Schein, running from December 16-27. North Coast Repertory’s 45th season will continue January 6th with Steven Dietz’s “Vineland Place” directed by Richard Baird.
