A Marvelous Party is marvelous!

Mark Anders, Anna Lauris and David Silverman; Richard Gray (piano) and
Chris Monroe (drums) in A Marvelous Party: The Noël Coward Celebration.
Photo: Chris Bennion.

Cliche? Maybe. But it is becoming far too rare in Seattle to have the opportunity to see a performance with such sophistication and clever wit. And this one, at the ACT Theatre is also a fun “treasure box” of Noel Coward music from throughout the 20th century. A Marvelous Party: The Noel Coward Celebration is a rumpus and energetic look into the 50 year musical career of Coward with music spanning from 1928 to 1963.

Few gay men have contributed so much to music over their lifetime as Noel Coward had before his death in 1973. While Coward never publicly acknowledged he was gay, he enjoyed a two decade relationship with Prince George, Duke of Kent and a nearly 30 year relationship, until Coward’s death, with actor Graham Payn. However, Coward maintained that “There is still a woman in Paddington Square who wants to marry me, and I don’t want to disappoint her.”

Mark Anders in A Marvelous Party. Photo: Chris Bennion.

Featuring songs such as “Would You Like to Stick a Pin in my Balloon?” (1950), Mad About the Boy (1932) and Anna Lauris’ hilarious rendition of “The Coconut Girl” (1963) this performance takes us on a journey from the classy and sophisticated to the nearly over-the-top melodrama that few actors could pull off as well as these four did. I remained captivated throughout the entire show. Anna Laruis’ character exclaims that “the kind of spontaneity I like, best comes with five weeks of rehearsals.”

What makes the performance so much fun is it was just the right mix of music, dramatic comedy skits and anecdotes. Coward once said: “Wit is like caviar – it should be served in small portions and not spread about like marmalade.”

This is a play that audiences will remember for a long time. You won’t be disappointed when your invited to A Marvelous Party.

A Marvelous Party: The Noel Coward Celebration runs through July 13, 2008 at the ACT Theatre. Tickets and information are available at www.acttheatre.org.

This Friday June 27 is “ACTivation Celebration” benefiting The Pride Foundation. A portion of single ticket proceeds will be donated to The Pride Foundation. Following the performance that evening, complimentary hors d’oeuvres will be served alongside live music! So try to buy your ticket for this Friday June 27, 2008, if you can.

Thursday, June 26 at 2 pm is a “Pay-What-You-Will” performance.

Also, each Friday and Saturday at 10 pm, following the performance of A Marvelous Party: The Noel Celebration, is PINKABOO! The Closeted American Songbook. $10 or free with your Marvelous ticket stub.