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Claudia Hommel
Cabaret Singer
Extraordinaire

“Design for Living”
by Sir Noel Coward
runs through October 23

“Design for Living”
by Sir Noel Coward

review by Ed Vincent

PJ Schoeny, Simone Roos and Bradford Lund

Sir Noel Coward is accredited by many for helping to open the
doors and opportunities for homosexuals in an era when the
word "homosexual" was a bad and frightening word to much
of society. The story is billed as one with bad manners at
the center of the stage, I would think more in the line of
lies, deceit, and adultery - A Midsummer's Night Dream
and more. Two gay men attracted to a flamboyant young
woman might be nothing more than a fetish for the outlandish,
but Coward had fun with the idea and even played the role
of Otto himself. This is one of Coward's play that was either
too risky or too controversial to have been produced on Broadway.

Circle's production of this Coward play is done with incrediable
sets, Bob Knuth should be on Broadway for all of his fine work
over the years. If Mr. Knuth is in charge of the sets you will
always be entertained with stage drama and wonder. A real
treat to this ensemble of actors is Simone Roos, who plays
the young and pampered Gilda. Ms. Roos had charm and
substance in her fast paced role. She had learned her lines
to the letter and if anything had them accelerated from time
to time without a flaw, but with some loss in understanding.

Simone Roos looked as though she could do two plays
simultaneously, and without a problem. We will look forward
to her next demanding role with anticipation.

PJ Schoeny, and Bradford Lund do a fine job of succeeding
in their lives, having Ms. Roos (Gilda) as their muse. Ernest,
played by Peter Esposito is the poor man who is abused by
everyone and in turn plays the role of a perfect gentleman.
There might be a message here to those looking toward the
role of Cad or social misfit.

The production is a fine tribute to the pen of Noel Coward
and does break most of 10 Commandments, sans murder.

CIRCLE THEATRE PRESENTS

Noel Coward’s Classic Comedy of Bad Manners,
DESIGN FOR LIVING
MAINSTAGE Design For Living by Noel Coward, directed by Jim Schneider

This production will mark Jim Schneider’s Circle Theatre directorial debut.
Mr. Schneider, a seasoned director and Noel Coward expert, will mount this production with an eye for detail and a nod to the original 1933 production,
which featured Alfred Lunt, Lynn Fontanne and Noel Coward.

PLAYWRIGHT

Sir Noel Coward, 1899—1973, gained prominence in 1924 acting in his play,
The Vortex. He soon became synonymous with sophistication, wit, and a world-weary sentimentality. Theater works include Fallen Angels (1925); Easy
Virtue (1925); Private Lives (1930); Design for Living (1932); and Blithe Spirit
(1941). He also wrote revues, sketches, musical comedies, and operettas
and was the most successful English composer of theater music in the mid-20th century. Films include Brief Encounter (1946) and In Which We Serve (1942). Coward also wrote short stories and a novel, Pomp and Circumstance (1960), performed in cabaret, made recordings, and wrote three autobiographical works, Present Indicative (1937), Middle East Diary (1945), and Future Indefinite (1954).
His play Song at Twilight (1966) initiated a revival of interest in Cowards works.
He was knighted in 1970.

SYNOPSIS

Noel Coward’s brilliant comedy of had manners, is the story of a ménage a trois
set in the early 1930s. The story revolves around the three central characters: Gilda, an art dealer and interior designer; Leo, a highly successful playwright;
and Otto, an equally successful painter. It follows their 4-year romp as they get together, break up, shock their friends, get together again, break up and ‘design’ their lives around one another, wreaking comic havoc on everyone with whom
they come into contact.

DIRECTOR

Jim Schneider founded Houston’s Horizons Showcase Theatre in 1990 and directed the Southwest premieres of Horton Foote’s Courtship, (with the
assistance of Mr. Foote), and The Lisbon Traviata by Terrance McNally. He also directed Edward Albee’s The Zoo Story & The American Dream, (under the direct guidance of Mr. Albee), the world premiere of Hollywood, by Max Pearson, Neil Simon’s female version of The Odd Couple and Paul Zindel’s And Miss Reardon Drinks a Little. Jim’s Chicago Theatre career began in 1993 as a casting intern
with the Goodman Theatre and, in that same year, he was awarded his Masters
of Fine Arts in Directing from the University of Houston, having been mentored by Pulitzer Prize winning playwright, Edward Albee and Tony Award winning Director, Jose Quintero. His Chicago credits include producing and directing the Chicago premiere of three Albee one-act beach plays under the banner, Sand, at the Theatre Building, the Chicago premieres of In Apartment 3D by Paul Prince,
and Neil Labute’s early twisted dark comedy) Lepers, later to become the motion picture, Your Friends and Neighbors.

CAST

Robyn Accetta, Peter Esposito, Eric Lindahl, Bradford R. Lund, Patti Roeder, Simone Roos, P.J. Schoeny, Scott Stangland, Carrie Wicked

ARTISTIC STAFF

Jim Schneider, Director * Chris Arnold, Assistant Director * Beth Scheible, Stage Manager *   Bob Knuth, Scenic! Lighting Designer * Elizabeth Shaffer, Costume Designer * Peter Storms, Sound Designer * Darrelyn Marx, Dialect Coach * Kevin Bellie, Production Coordinator

THEATRE

Currently in its 21st season, Circle Theatre is an artist-based company, which has received 38 Joseph Jefferson Citations. Circle has produced multiple world premieres, including Rebecca Gilman’s The Glory of Living and The Crime of the Century, and the Midwest premiere of Michael John LaChiusa’ s The Wild Party.

LOCATION Circle Theatre, 7300 West Madison Street, Forest Park, IL 60130

OPENS    Wednesday, September 14th at 8pm

RUNS

September 16th through October 23rd: Fridays and Saturdays at 8p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Special Thursday performances at 8p.m. on October 6th, 13th and 20th.

TICKETS
$23, $2 discount for seniors and students; Group rates are available.

Jim Schneider, no stranger to Noel Coward, has produced and directed several
of the Master’s works: Hayfever, Blithe Spirit and Private Lives with one of his first roles as an actor in Hayfever. This began a life-long passion for staging Coward’s works and amassing an extensive record and memorabilia collection of his songs, plays and theatre programmes.

Jim founded Houston’s Horizons Showcase Theatre in 1990 and directed the
Southwest premieres of Horton Foote’s Courtship, (with the assistance of Mr.
Foote), and The Lisbon Traviata byTerrance McNally. He also directed Edward
Albee’s The Zoo Story & The American Dream, (under the direct guidance of Mr.
Albee), the world premiere of Hollywood, by Max Pearson, Neil Simon’s female
version of The Odd Couple and Paul Zindel’s And Miss Reardon Drinks a Little.

Jim’s Chicago Theatre career began in 1993 as a casting intern with the
Goodman Theatre and, in that same year, he was awarded his Masters of
Fine Arts in Directing from the University of Houston, having been mentored by Pulitzer Prize winning playwright, Edward Albee and Tony Award winning
Director, Jose Quintero.

His Chicago credits include producing and directing the Chicago premiere
of three Edward Albee one-act beach plays under the banner, Sand, at the
Theatre Building, (under the direct guidance of Mr. Albee), the Chicago
premieres of In Apartment 3D by Paul Prince, and Neil Labute’s early
twisted dark comedy, Lepers, later to become the motion picture, Your Friends and Neighbors.

Jim has patiently waited to tackle what is considered the “Hamlet” of Noel Coward, Design for Living, and is honored to be teaming with the dynamic and talented group at Circle Theatre. He wishes to thank Edward Albee and the late Jose Quintero for being his teachers, his late father Harold, for his love and support,
his partner Bob for being his inspiration and long-term companion, and Kevin
Bellie for providing him the opportunity to fulfill his passion.