The alliance between University Theatre and the Milwaukee Chamber Theatre is perfect for the staging of Bernard Shaw's \Misalliance,"" a Victorian, comedic soap opera with social overtones. This first co-production, directed by Mark E. Lococo, features memorable stage design and strong performances.
Appropriately titled, the plot of the play focuses on misalliances. The main conflict is between two families of different social classes: the Summerhays family, members of the aristocracy; and the Tarleton family, members of the bourgeois.
The play opens with Johnny Tarleton and Bentley Summerhays having a battle of wits, both trying to ruffle each other's feathers. Ultimately, Bentley, a witty but very sensitive character, throws a tantrum when Johnny, fed up by Bentley's remarks, threatens to thrash him. Eventually, it becomes clear that Johnny and Bentley are future brother in-laws, with Bentley engaged to marry Johnny's sister Hypatia.
As the plot progresses, it is understood that the Summerhays and Tarleton families are an odd combination, but more importantly, the pairing of Bentley and Hypatia is a mismatch. The interactions between the two signal a fondness, but nothing deeper. Hypatia confirms the lack of passion when she admits to her mother that she is not in love with Bentley, but would marry him because he has more brains than most of her usual suitors.
Hypatia, who feels trapped and wishes adventure would drop out of the sky, gets her wish when a pilot and his passenger crash into the Tarleton greenhouse. If that isn't exciting enough, a gunman trespasses onto the property. These two plot twists add to an already muddled situation, prompting comical exchanges that lead to better romantic pairings.
The intriguing plot line is aided by the excellent technical elements of the show. The staging looks onto an elaborate, well-decorated set of an English garden pavilion. The acting is strong, and it is apparent that each actor and actress was well-chosen and particularly suited for his or her role. Ryan D. Winkles perfectly captures Bentley Summerhays' effeminate, witty and slightly snobby character. Sara Philips perfectly captures Lina Szczepanowska, the airplane passenger who happens to be an independent, Polish acrobat.
Overall, ""Misalliance"" is an entertaining Victorian comedy with a constantly evolving plot line that is layered with sexual innuendoes and social commentary.
""Misalliance"" is a typical Shaw play, a comedy with tongue in cheek social criticism. Yet unlike other Shaw plays, it has an excessive amount of underlying issues going on simultaneously. It causes the play to drag during the last scenes, which might explain why the show was never a big hit in its time.
Although the writing of the play in general has it's faults, ""Misalliance"" is still enjoyable. University Theatre and the Milwaukee Chamber Theatre deliver an accurate, well performed portrayal that is worth seeing.
