Christina DeCicco & Jake Noseworthy play the doomed couple. |
The story is mostly told through flashbacks while the couple
– Jonathan Rose, a high-powered Washington, DC lobbyist and his “arm candy”
wife Barbara – are meeting with their lawyers to discuss divorce. The play takes
the audience on a journey from their first encounter as naïve, idealistic 20-somethings
at an auction to the deconstruction of their 18-year marriage in their lavish
home.
Over the past 18 years, Jonathan has become successful in
the DC political scene, while Barbara (who quit college to marry the then-struggling
law student) has accompanied her husband to countless business dinners and
parties, while raising their two children. She completed decorating their grand
home with fine furniture and art and now she’s ready for a new project – making
and selling her gourmet pâté.
Jonathan is not interested in supporting his wife’s new venture; instead,
he wants her to remain the perfect wife and mother. Unhappy with his lack of
support, Barbara begins to fall out of love and eventually wants a divorce.
Since Barbara worked years creating the perfect home, she
feels that Jonathan should be the one to leave…but Jonathan has no plans to
move. To try and rectify the problem,
Jonathan and Barbara are instructed by their lawyers to annoy the other one to
the point that one of them will leave. The couple goes beyond annoying each
other and begins a battle royal when their children leave for camp, escalating
into a full-fledged war of will and wit. Director Bud Martin has a keen ability
to execute dark, menacing scenes while finding the humor in them. Thankfully,
he has a stellar cast ready to tackle the physical and emotional challenges
this piece demands.
Jack Noseworthy and Christina DeCicco are spectacular as
Jonathan and Barbara. They are tasked with making their characters likeable
while demonstrating appalling behaviors, a feat not easily done. These seasoned
actors understand the importance of fully developing their characters so the
audience connects with them and finds humor in their despicable actions.
Lenny Wolpe as Jonathan’s lawyer, Goldstein, and Cameron
Folmar, as Barbara’s lawyer, Thurmont, are also delightful. Mr. Wolpe, a rabbi-turned-lawyer,
provides Jewish proverbs to help guide Jonathan through the divorce, while the
waspy Thurmont seems to get bored with Barbara’s antics, focusing more on sporting
activities while meeting with her. The rest of the ensemble cast including Adam
Altman, Eric Kramer, Brian McCann, Kerry Kristine McElrone, and Karen Peakes
are hysterical as members of the DC elite during an explosive dinner party scene.
As with most recent DTC productions, the set is an important
character. Designer Paul Tate DePOO III has meticulously created the Rose’s
magnificent two-story home from the fine furnishings to the gigantic crystal
chandelier that plays an important part in the outcome of the war. Unfortunately,
the gorgeous set is destroyed by the end of the play – much like the
characters’ marriage.
The War of the Roses is the perfect guilty pleasure. Don’t
miss it before it closes on October 2nd. For tickets and additional
information, visit www.delawaretheatre.org.